Derby Name:
Hi 5

Number:
5

Team(s):
Cleveland Steamers,  All-Stars

Position(s):
I’m happy to serve wherever duty calls.

What brought you to the world of derby?
I’ve been doing roller derby as long as I have lived in Cleveland. I moved up from Athens, Ohio to Cleveland in 2007 for a job and heard about BRRG just before they were to hold their first fresh meat August. It was great timing and I’ve enjoyed skating so much with everyone.

How do you feel you about your progress you’ve made since your start?
I feel like a completely different skater since I was that girl in the red tank top skating for the Steamers in Season Two. I skate differently, think and understand the game differently, and I think I have more strengths as a skater.

I loved Slambassador, why did you change your name?
I think it goes along with feeling like a different skater. Plus, it was a very long name that didn’t fit well on the back of a jersey. I will most likely change my name next year too. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

How did you trick Algebro into being a referee?
No tricks needed, he joined to share in this crazy derby thing but was surprised in how intellectually challenging and physically demanding it is to be a roller derby referee. It has been fun for him.

What skates are you currently using?
I skate in Riedells 395s.

What are your Season 5 personal goals?
Personal goals are to become a powerful hitter, get lighter on my skates, and learn how to use opposing blockers as “helpers” when trying to stop the opposing  jammer. I would really like to play every position well eventually. All of those things plus I would love to be able to do hurricane kicks and the circle waltz on roller skates.

I noticed you have been doing a couple races lately, how has that been going?
It’s going well, I’m hoping to run a marathon in late September which is something that I’ve wanted to do for a while.

What are your hopes for the future of BRRG?
I would like for BRRG to continue to become more competitive at a national level.

What are your thoughts/feelings about Steamers from when you started, to current day?
The Steamers have always been a cohesive, fun team with an overwhelming number of secret nerds. The fun has always carried through but I’ve noticed our team really likes to talk about strategy and rules more now than ever. The nerd-ism has crossed over to derby.

What books have you been recently enjoying?
A few books that I’ve read that stand out recently are “No one belongs here more than you” which is a collection of short stories by Miranda July. I’ve also been reading “Marathon : the ultimate guide” by Hal Higdon. I am also revisiting some Flannery O’Connor.

Do you have any pre-bout antics to get you prepared?
I don’t have any antics per se but I do spend some quiet time alone and visualize what I want to do on the track.

How has roller derby affected your life?
I have turned into a jock for the first time ever, I’m not sure exactly when and how it happened, though I think Primp Daddy may have had something to do with it.I am more active than I have ever been in my life and maybe a little more dull headed. I also know so many inspiring women now and came to meet them almost instantly when joining the league.

How are you feeling about being on the travel team?
I like All-Stars, I enjoy the competitive camaraderie and playing with girls across the league that I don’t normally get a chance to join up with as teammates.

What do you do when you are not playing derby?
I like to run, lift, read, spend time with friends, take classes at CSU, and generally just enjoy living here in beautiful Cleveland.

In your opinion, how roller derby can achieve more recognition as a sport?
I think as more derby leagues are established and more people personally know someone playing the sport of roller derby, more people will come to know it as a sport. WFTDA and sports journalism play a huge role in getting it recognized as a sport. It would be great to see the WFTDA National Championships broadcast on television so that people could see the highest levels of athleticism of the sport of roller derby.

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The trip out to Fort Wayne was not an easy one; cars were off the road in ditches, semi’s jack-knifed, and every weather station telling us not to travel. But, in the harshest of environments, members of the BRRG braved the elements and traveled to Fort Wayne Indiana.

First up the Xanadont’s with secret new weapons known as The Killustrator and Chrissie B. Hynde; came out with a strong effort but finished just shy of a win. Punk’d Pixie, Margarita Mayhem, and Vix Smackey showed an intense preview of what the ’09 season is going to look like (look out everyone, Pin-ups are contenders for the Cup). The Xanadont’s played well, but allowed fundamental mistakes to occur, fouls to hurt them, and fatigue to play a factor. It came to the last jam, but with a large crowd pumping the S.W.A.T. Team, the Xanadont’s were unable to come out on top.

I learned a lot sitting between Magic Lee Malicious and Quarter boy (GRRG) about personal styles and where working as a team is needed. I also learned a lot about inexperienced referees, and bad calls. I thank you both for your knowledge and friendship.

Now onto the All-Star Rematch; Burning River steps onto Fort Wayne turf missing a few key elements. One- The Validator: a major factor who scored many points in our first encounter with the Bomb Squad. Two- Slaughterama Mama: an incredible blocker who seems to gain energy when most others begin to feel fatigue. And three- Pain Austen: who yes did not play but has an expertise in observation when play a dirty team like the bomb squad. And yes I said Dirty! I know accidents happen and mistakes get made, refs do not see everything, but something’s you just cannot turn a blind eye to. I also understand that there will always be biased referees, and dirty skaters; and that will never change.

It was a treat to see you girls playing like a team out there! I did not see what I have seen in previous bouts; huge talent with no communication, every girl out there trying to get hers. A saw a major group effort and every girl knowing her role on the track. We had a rough start, with our first three jams, only scoring two points. But we started playing with good strategy and started nickel and dime jams. Then in a reverse of roles we started putting up major points and shutting down there jammer. By the end of the second half it was a one point game.

Unfortunately, it was becoming extremely apparent the referees from Fort Wayne had total disregard for WFTDA rules, especially when it came to fouls committed by their own players. I could go off on an hour tangent, about dozens of instances where I saw blatant fouls (by the bomb squad) with no call, or no foul or legal move being called as fouls (by BRRG). I believe this hurt the team in a way where we lost focus of the game; having to spend time and energy showing referees the fouls, and paying back the one who fouled, this is where there Jammer was able to break through the pack quick and leave our jammer fighting to get through. But in reality this is a situation we knew we were getting into, before we walked in the arena. Even speaking with members of GRRG I heard of dirty players in the bomb squad. We needed to be able to beat this team despite these hindrances. But when I look back at this bout, the team work that I saw out of the All-Stars, the moments where we every player on the track was just playing the game with such skill, technique and grace; for that I account the victory despite the score. This bout was a heck of a learning experience for me and I am sure many times over for the skaters.

Big ups go out to Slambassador for winning best blocker during the first bout; and Halochic during the All-Star bout. I must say special thank you to both Ivanna Destroya and Professor Booty for being concerned with my well being on my trip back (I made it safe!). Mad props to Gonnolea, just cuz she freakin rules! And last but not least Magic Lee Malicious for all her wonderful company and conversation there and back!

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