May
17

May Spotlight Slammer of the Month!

Derby Name: RedMelvin
Derby Number: No 9

Real Name: Melinda Jolly
Years of Experience: 0 years 5 months

How did you come up with your name and number?
It didn’t take long, RedMelvin has been my nickname for years and No 9 was inspired by a Beatles song.

Why did you join KRD?
I joined KRD because they are awesome..duh and because Roller Derby was super intriguing to me and I saw one of the flyers and googled them and was at the next baby doll practice.

Worst/Best things about Derby?
Worst thing about Derby is I don’t make enough money to have all the awesome gear I want. Best thing is the peeps and the rush…

Hobbies outside of Derby?
When I am not spending time with my family, I enjoy exercising

What advice would you give to a new derby player?
Read the rules manual it is super important to know the rules and practice practice and more practice…strengthen your core and get good at cardio.

What position do you play or want to play?
I play blocker and sometimes Jammer…I would love to be a bad ass Jammer one day.

Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
I jam to music and get in the zone.

What is your skate gear of choice?
I love my Reidell skates

Who are your roller derby heroes?
Carmen Getsome

Do you have a motivational quote?
Life is what you make of it!

What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with? Only KRD

Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
Yes, money but I am not very good at it.

What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
That I love makeup.

What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
Forest Gump, Big, Joe Vs the Volcano and Mean Girls

Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
Maggie May Rod Stuart

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Ambiguous Sarcastic and Angry

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To be able to time travel.

How did you end up at Okinawa?
My job

Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
My husband for supporting me and my team-mates for all the skills I have learned from them.

What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?
If you think that then I would love to have them on the track and see how they stand up to my team-mates…its easy to make that statement but you have to try it and I bet you wouldn’t knock it!.

May
17

May Spotlight Hellion of the Month!

Derby Name:  ALMA HATERS
Derby Number:  H8
Real Name: Anita Walker
Years of Experience: 2 years 6months

 

 1.How did you come up with your name and number?
  I had a lot of fun coming up with dozens of names, but in the end, I decided to go with a name that had more of a personal connection to me. My mom’s name is Alma, so I decided to play around with that. Alma Haters (H8) fell into place.

 

 2.Why did you join KRD?
When the founder of KRD, Amanda Harms (aka Pisa Cake), put an article in Okinawa Hai to see if anyone was interested in helping her form a league, I replied immediately! After watching a few bouts on the internet however, I thought there was a strong possibility that I had lost my mind!  I spent about 4-6 weeks trying to talk myself out of it. But I took the plunge in December 2010.  It has been an amazing journey.

 

3.Worst/Best things about Derby?
 I haven’t found anything that would fit in the “Worst” category. So far, I have been able to use the few negative experiences to push myself harder. I found a quote the other day that describes the absolute best thing about Derby. The sport is amazing, but being a part of this runs much deeper than people would think. “anyone who truly understands derby knows that in many ways, roller derby will set you free. You will sweat and bleed and cry until there is nothing left but the raw, unaltered version of you. And people will not only get to know and accept that version, but they will also love it. And you will too.” – Predator-in-Chief, NJ Hellraisers    

4.Hobbies outside of Derby?
There’s life outside of Derby?

5.What advice would you give to a new derby player?
Learn the rules of the game. Don’t ever doubt your own ability. The rest comes down to heart. This is your dream. Make it happen.  (Sounds cliché, huh? But it is true.)

6.What position do you play or want to play?
I am a BLOCKER all the way!

7. Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
I use music to amp me up. (Trillville, yelawolf, Eminem, DJ Khaled, DMX….anything along those lines.)

 

8.What is your skate gear of choice?
 I skate with Riedell “wicked” skates. Atom Super G wheels, 187 Pro pads.

 

 9.Who are your roller derby heroes?
This list has the potential to be very long. I’ll try to keep it short…Carmen Getsome and Wile E Peyote (Rat City), All the Rage City Skaters that came to bout us in Okinawa, Pisa Cake (KRD FOUNDER), Candied Slams and Release the Smacken (KRD), and (I can’t remember her name, but the entire team blew me away in last year’s regionals) the jammer from Wasatch with the long curly hair, played against Rat City….That girl was on fire!

 

10.Do you have a motivational quote?
I could quote Katt Williams Pimp Chronicles, I do love his quote about needing Haters in your life. It’s a true story. But on a serious level, one of the greatest motivational quotes is from Ray Lewis: “Effort is between you, and you, and nobody else. So that team that thinks it’s ready to see you, they think what they’ve seen on film, they ain’t saw what film shows, because every day is a new day. Every moment is a new moment. So now you’ve got to go out and show them that I’m a different creature now, than I was five minutes ago, cause I’m pissed off for greatness. Cause if you ain’t pissed off for greatness, that just means you’re okay with being mediocre, and ain’t no man in here okay with just basic.”

 

11.What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?
 Even though I’ve been a part of KRD from the beginning, I did break away for a short time. I skated with the Devil Dog Derby Dames for about 6 weeks and then I came back to KRD.

 

12. Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
I have a small collection of old records, mostly old Jazz circa 1930’s-50’s. They were a part of a much larger collection that belonged to my Dad. Some of my most favorite memories were listening to those records with him.

 

13.What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
About 4 years ago, I thought it would be a good idea to teach my daughter how to skateboard, nothing complicated, just coasting down the driveway. I told her “This is how you do it so you don’t get hurt.”  Before I reached the end of the driveway, I had dislocated my leg from my ankle and shattered my ankle in 3 places. I have 3 plates and over 15 screws in my ankle. Haha….I am definitely no Tony Hawk!

 

14.What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
 Fried Green Tomatoes and ANY of Tyler Perry’s Madea movies.

 

15.  Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
 Who needs a bar? You can usually hear me (along with my Hellions) singing ‘All I do is Win’ –DJ KHALED, at the end of every bout! ;)

 

16.How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Down to earth

 

17.   If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
The power to harness my chi!

 

18.  How did you end up at Okinawa?
 My husband is a Marine, stationed at Camp Courtney. We have been here almost 3 years, headed to Camp Pendleton this summer.

 

 19.  Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
 I’d like to Thank my husband, Freddie, my daughter, and my son, for supporting my dream, & of course, I want to give Big Ups to All My Haters. ;)

 

20.  What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?
I get it, but don’t let the fishnets and booty shorts fool you! Sure, the way the girls look can be entertaining… but that is not the SPORT of roller derby. If you strip all of that away, what you are left with is the fact that roller derby is a contact sport. It is a sport that that requires the players to simultaneously play offense and defense. No two jams are ever the same. It’s intense and addictive. Our players’ mental and physical game has to be on point. At minimum, it requires athleticism, dedication, determination, hard work, and constant training. Add to that a plethora of rules (look them up WFTDA.com), an ample amount of strategies and tactics – all overseen by certified referees and a group of non-skating officials, who call and record penalties, and I’d say you have yourself a legitimate sport. With 1,250 leagues sprouting up around the world, I’d say the majority of individuals exposed to roller derby would agree with me.
Apr
16

April Spotlight Slammer of the Month!!

Derby Name: Tank Rat
Derby Number: JP-8

Real Name: Teresa Ryland
Years of Experience: 1.5 yrs

1. How did you come up with your name and number?
Tank Rat correlates to my job in the Air Force; Aircraft Fuel Systems. We work inside aircraft fuel tanks.
JP-8 is jet fuel

2. Why did you join KRD?
I bought some roller skates during my mid-life crisis and a friend told me she knew someone in roller derby and that I should get in touch with them. I went to a bout and was sold.

3. Worst/Best things about Derby?
Worst thing is that it is time consuming; I am a single parent and going to school and finding time to get that and practices in can be difficult.
Best thing about derby: All of the kick-butt women I have met.

4. Hobbies outside of Derby?
I enjoy longboarding with my boys. Sewing and reading.

5. What advice would you give to a new derby player?
Don’t be discouraged if things don’t come to you quickly, everyone learns at their own pace. Keep practicing!

6. What position do you play or want to play?
Blocker.

7. Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
My bout socks have grenades on them. Other than that, I am usually busy setting up the bout to have time for pre-bout .

8. What is your skate gear of choice?
Ridell 265 Wicked skates and 187 Killer Pads

9. Who are your roller derby heroes?
All the women in KRD who practice hard and play harder!

10. Do you have a motivational quote?
If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves….Thomas Edison

11. What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?
KRD

12. Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
Skateboards…lol

13. What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
I am a Justin Timberlake fan

14. What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
The 5th Element and Bladerunner

15. Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
Anything Natalie Merchant

16.  How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Honest. Determined. Funny.

17. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Mind control….I need more minions

18. How did you end up at Okinawa?
I am stationed here. I was also born here (late 1800’s) and wanted to come back.

19. Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
I would like to thank all the Slammers for their help and support…..I love you guys!
Also my derby wife, Snowcone! She is pretty awesome.

20. What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?
Most of those people can’t even skate! I explain rules of play and strategy and that usually changes their mind.

Apr
16

April Spotlight Hellion of the Month!!

Derby Name: Areal Mermaid
Derby Number: 6810

Real Name: Jessica Buff
Years of Experience: 1 1/2

1.How did you come up with your name and number?
Every summer my friends and I used to jump into the cold Puget Sound in the middle of the night. The photophores in the water would make it glow. We were the Mermaids of the Puget Sound. This is one of my favorite memories from Washington so I knew my derby name should have something to do with it. My number is my wedding anniversary June 8, 2010.

2.Why did you join KRD?
I joined KRD because I wanted to do something different. I wanted a way to meet other people on the island and do something fun and active.

3.Worst/Best things about Derby?
The best things about derby is a really long list for me. I love the athleticism, the team work, the hard hits, the practices that leave you sore the next day. These are just a few of the things that I really love about derby.
The worst thing about derby is that people misconstrue what it is all about and some people even dismiss it as a sport. I have played many sports in my life, and derby has challenged me and my body more than any other sport I have ever played.

4.Hobbies outside of Derby?
I love to run, and swim. I find furniture that people get rid of and paint designs on it, and make it look completely different.

5.What advice would you give to a new derby player?
Don’t be afraid of falling, or the ground. If you are falling at least you are trying.

6.What position do you play or want to play?
I enjoy both jamming and blocking equally.

7.Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
I try to eat well before a bout and visualize myself doing everything the way it needs to be done. If I start to think that I can’t do something that’s when I tend to make mistakes.

8.What is your skate gear of choice?
I like Ridell for skates.

9.Who are your roller derby heroes?
Carmen Get some, and Suzy Hotrod

10.Do you have a motivational quote?
“Don’t ever live vicariously. This is your life. Live.”

11.What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?
KRD

12.Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
No, I’m not much of a collector.

13.What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
Most people probably don’t know that I make sculptures in fact all of the sculptures and most of the vases in my home I made myself.

14.What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
I have never been able to watch movies over and over again, I have to short of a attention span.

15.Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
Radioactive by Imagine Dragons

16.How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Active, Fun, Spontaneous

17.If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would love the ability to Teleport. To be anywhere in the world that I want to be in a moment’s notice would be amazing.

18.How did you end up at Okinawa?
My Husband is in the Air force, we got stationed here.

19.Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
I would like to thank my coaches and teammates for always being willing to help and teach me more about this sport.

20.What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?
Put on a pair of skates and try it out before you judge whether or not it can be considered a sport.

Mar
14

March Spotlight Slammer Of The Month!

Derby Name: DLP or Derty Lil Princess
Derby Number: 333

Real Name: Michelle Whitehead
Years of Experience: 1


1.How did you come up with your name and number?
My name comes from 2 entities, first I am the only girl and youngest sibling with 3 older brothers. I grew up as a tom boy, playing sports, helping with dirty projects, but as I got older realized I wanted to be more feminine…thus Derty (not Dirty) Lil Princess suits me well. In addition to that, this name comes up in my favorite Tosh.O episode. My number 333 is the time I was born, and represents my 3 brother and 3 children and the fact that I only like odd numbers.

2.Why did you join KRD?
Another KRD member (Texas Pixie) introduced me to the sport before I arrived in Okinawa. I started playing when I got here and have been with the league since that first week on island.

3.Worst/Best things about Derby?
Best thing is being around some awesome girls from all backgrounds who just want to come together and play a fun, tough girl sport. I also love the fact that I probably have more Derby Names on the League than anyone else. Worst part of derby is when you cannot make it to a practice and you feel like you are always missing out on something important.

4.Hobbies outside of Derby?
Traveling, I can go anywhere, anytime and never fear being in a foreign environment, it is more of a rush then a trepidation.


5.What advice would you give to a new derby player?
Do not give up on yourself! Do not judge those around you as better players, they started out just like you are starting, you are never alone and will always be supported.

6.What position do you play or want to play?
Blocker and I love to Pivot.

7.Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
Yes……I eat one of my kid’s un-crustable peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwiches about 30 min before we hit the track. Don’t ask why, I just like them, it’s my little protein/sugar boost.


8.What is your skate gear of choice?
Skates – Riedell 965 Boot with XK4 Plate, DA45 Double Action Trucks and Atom Juke wheels. Pads – 187 Killer Pro

9.Who are your roller derby heroes?
I do not have any stateside Heroes, but my Okinawa Hero is by far Luscious Loosie

10.Do you have a motivational quote?
I do not have a motivational quote, but I do have a motivational warm up routine to stretch out. I call it “The Derty”.

11.What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?
KRD

12.Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
No, when in doubt throw it out. I am probably one of the largest anti-hoarders you will ever meet.

13.What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
I am actually a shy person. Those who know me in derby would not say that. Although, I have been stereotyped my whole life as just being a stuck up snobby blonde who doesn’t talk to people. I don’t always talk because I am more of an observer. Honestly I like to watch, listen and take in what people say. So if you meet me and I don’t hold a conversation, it is just that I am waiting for the right moment.

14.What movie(s) can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
“Gran Torino” with Clint Eastwood. “Get him to the Greek” or anything with Jonah Hill. I am a huge comedy movie person. I despise scary movies with names like Jason, Freddy, Michael Myers and anyone with a chainsaw or mask just creep me out.


15.Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
Salt and Peppa “Shut up, push it”


16.How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Optimistic, Effervescent, Intellectual


17.If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Ha….My son almost got suspended for this same question a few weeks ago in school, so I won’t use his response. My superpower would be to speak/understand every language and communicate with people from all countries, and cultures in every part of the world.


18.How did you end up at Okinawa?
My husband is AD USMC; this is our second tour here.

19.Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
First Amy Nolen (Texas Pixie) for being amazing, we became friends last time we lived in Okinawa together (this is round 2). Second my husband for saying “You need to go to practice and don’t be lazy” Third my Slammers for always making me feel wonderful for coming to practice, and last but not least all the girls and coaches with KRD because you all are amazing!!!!

20.What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?
“Please put on these skates and stand right here while I practice some of my hits.”

Mar
14

March Spotlight Hellion Of The Month!

Derby Name: Blazin’ Asian
Derby Number: 44

Real Name: Samantha Thompson
Years of Experience: 2 ½

1. How did you come up with your name and number?
I’m Asian and was trying to get something to go along with that and Blazin’ just fit. My number is my Dad and Brother’s fire station number.

2. Why did you join KRD?
KRD was just starting when I found out about them. I used to enjoy roller skating when I was a child. So I tried it out and turned out to love it!

3. Worst/Best things about Derby?
Worse thing about Derby is probably getting hurt and some bruises. Best thing is meeting new friends to last a life time and hitting your friends without them getting mad at you :)

4. Hobbies outside of Derby?
I used to play intramural volleyball and bowling but there is no time for that when I’m hittin’ girls!

5. What advice would you give to a new derby player?
Keep trying. It’s a new learning experience and we all started at the bottom. Keep working on your skills and you will one day replace us.

6. What position do you play or want to play?
I used to be a jammer prior to having my child. I am working on getting that spot back.

7. Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
I really don’t. I just get really excited and nervous.

8. What is your skate gear of choice?
My skates are Antiks. I’m on my second pair but very happy with them. My pads are mostly 187’s.

9. Who are your roller derby heroes?
Since having Carmen Getsome come out the very first time. I would have to say that she is one of my heroes.

10. Do you have a motivational quote?
Skate fast, hit hard!

11. What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?
none

12. Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
I’m from a small rural town in PA. We ride John Deere tractors so I guess anything JD is what I collect

13. What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
Hmm…not sure. Maybe that I don’t really speak any Thai and I’m half.

14. What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
Any Harry Potter movie

15. Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
I don’t like to sing karaoke but if I do I am probably not sober.

16. How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Outgoing, short tempered, caring

17. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Never really thought about this. Something cool like moving objects with my mind.

18. How did you end up at Okinawa?
I am active duty Air Force.

19. Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
I would like to thank my hubby who has put up with me missing derby for 9 months and letting me come back and always cheering me on.

20. What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?
That they’re dumb and don’t know anything. I would like them to get hit by a derby girl, especially Punch’er Down Brown!

Feb
16

Febuary Spotlight Slammer of the Month!

Derby Name: Luscious Loosie
Derby Number: 5280

Real Name: Kathryn Allen
Years of Experience: 5ish

1. How did you come up with your name and number?
I really am not a fan of my name, I just felt rushed and picked it, eh, nothing special about it. My number, however is my favorite! I am from Denver, the Mile High City, and there are 5280 feet in a mile.

2. Why did you join KRD?
I had been playing derby for a while back in the States and was devastated that I had to move to Japan with no derby! I was dreading all of the hard work I would have to put in to start a league from the ground up. But I lucked out! KRD had just formed a couple of months before I landed in Okinawa, a bunch of the hard work was already done!

3. Worst/Best things about Derby?
The best thing about derby, by far, is playing the game! It makes all of those hours of practice worth it, especially if you get a well deserved win! Hummm, the worst thing about derby, the stink? But you can get used to that with time!

4. Hobbies outside of Derby?
I have a 5 month old monster that I enjoy playing with, LOVE that monster. I also have two dogs that I am crazy about, a Puggle and Doberman. I enjoy kicking my own butt at Crossfit, seriously the best workout you can find anywhere!! In my down time, I can’t resist some quality reality TV.

5. What advice would you give to a new derby player?
Keep coming to practice!! Sometimes it sucks and your feet hurt, and your back hurts, and your butt hurts, but it gets better!! You will meet amazing people along your derby journey and it’s totally worth the hours of pain.

6. What position do you play or want to play?
I loved jamming back in the day before the “scrum” started. It’s a totally different game than it was a year ago, and I’ve really had to adapt my style of play after coming back after my monster was born. I still like jamming, but it’s a lot more challenging now. I have always enjoyed blocking, it’s so great feeling the jammer’s frustration as they try to get around you with no success!!

7. Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
Not that I can think of.

8. What is your skate gear of choice?
I skate on my Pink Ladies (Custom Riedell 965 boots with Sure-Grip Avenger Magnesium DA45 short/forward mounted plates) LOVE them. I also love my 187 elbow pads and Atom Wrist guards. I’m still debating my love for my Atom knee pads…the jury is still out on that one. I need to become more of a wheel nerd and stop basing my wheel choices on “ohh, those look pretty and you can skate fast on them!”

9. Who are your roller derby heroes?
Suzy Hotrod was the reason I started playing derby. I saw her skate against Rocky Mountain back in early 2008 and thought “I could totally do this!” I tried out at Rocky Mountain’s next tryout and the rest is history!

10. Do you have a motivational quote?
strong is the new skinny

11. What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?
I started with Rocky Mountain back in 2008 and learned the basics from them. I got married later that year and moved to Tennessee, where I played for the Nashville Rollergirls for a couple of seasons. I started practicing with the Kokeshi Roller Dolls the first or second day after I arrived on Okinawa.

12. Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
I do not collect anything. I do, however, love shows about people who collect (read: hoard). Those shows always make me want to clean my house and get rid of crap I no longer need.

13. What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
I am a crazy dog lady, like really crazy, but Military Working Dogs (MWDs) make me very nervous. But I really want to put on one of those fake arms and have an MWD attack me.

14. What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
Beetlejuice, Death Proof, Anchorman, Splash. I’m sure there are more I’m not thinking of.

15. Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
I sing Barbie Girl EVERY time I karaoke. I also enjoy singing Sublime, Ke$ha and Marilyn Manson.

16. . How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Fun, Dedicated, Kind

17. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would want the ability to become a mermaid whenever I feel like it. It’s not really a super power, but more like a cool ability. Then I could go “diving” without the hassle of tanks and regulators and all of that junk that comes with diving. And I wouldn’t have to worry about dying or getting the bends. When I was little I thought I could become a mermaid by putting my feet in salt water…it never worked.

18. How did you end up at Okinawa?
My husband is in the Air Force and this is where we ended up for a while.

19. Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
Thank you to my wonderful husband who has put up with my derby love affair for so long. Thank you to my parents for all of those Ice Skating lessons. I was never spectacular at Ice Skating, but those lessons translated wonderfully to me being a better derby player!

20. What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?
I tell them this is not the same sport that they remember from the 70s. It’s just as physical as it was back then, but different.

Feb
16

Febuary Spotlight Hellion of the Month!


Derby Name: Nameless Nancy
Derby Number: 5537#

Real Name: Heather Rose Smith
Years of Experience: 2

1. How did you come up with your name and number? I actually couldn’t come up with a name and we had a bout coming up so I jokingly said that if I couldn’t think of one I would just have to be a nameless nancy. Everyone liked it and it just kind of stuck. Then Luscious Loosie came up with my number If you take my number, 5537#, and flip it upside down then it says #LESS. Therefore I am Nameless and Numberless.

2. Why did you join KRD? I joined for the exercise. I stayed because of the friendships I have made.


3. Worst/Best things about Derby? Worst… pain… Best… pain… No Really….. Worst thing has to be the sweating!! I HATE SWEATING!!!! Best thing is being able to take out all of my frustration. I can walk into practice on the verge of tears from the stress and walk out with a smile on my face and laughing! I love that!


4. Hobbies outside of Derby? My kiddos… I love spending time with my family. I don’t care what we are doing as long as we are together!

5. What advice would you give to a new derby player? Keep pushing until you fall. Then get back up and push harder.
You’re going to fall in derby. It’s part of the game. It’s what you do after you fall that will determine how far you will go in derby.

6. What position do you play or want to play? I am a blocker. I think I will stick to blocking… I jam in scrimmages sometimes, but I am much more comfortable blocking…

7. Do you have any pre-bout rituals? My pre-bout ritual is to just zone out and focus. Once I have all of my equipment on I sit down and zone out for about 10 minutes. Once I am in the zone I feel like I am unstoppable.

8. What is your skate gear of choice? I am loving my new Atoms pads. They are still newer but knee falls feel like falling on clouds!

9. Who are your roller derby heroes? Anna Bollocks from GGRD. She is an amazing blocker!


10. Do you have a motivational quote? It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up. –Vince Lonbardi

11. What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with? Only KRD

12. Do you collect anything, if so, what/why? Scentsy….. I live in a 3 bedroom house and own 15 scentsy warmers… and I just ordered 7 more… I KNOW I KNOW!!! But they are so pretty!!!! :) And I probably have enough Scentsy bars for at least a year and a half.

13. What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you? When I was 4 years old I could recite all three of the Karate Kid movies by heart. That and at one point in my life I owned more than 350 bears (stuffed animals, glass, plastic, etc.) (Nerd Alert!!)


14. What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of? Karate Kid 1 2 and 3

15. Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar? Baby Got Back!!!

16. . How would you describe yourself in 3 words? Wife, Mother, Skater

17. If you could have any superpower, what would it be? To be in two places at once. I always feel like I am missing something whether it be with my derby life or my family life.

18. How did you end up at Okinawa? Military Orders

19. Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank? I first want to thank my husband and kids for supporting me, but I also want to thank all of the babysitters I have had over the past 2 years when my husband had to work late and I had practice!

20. What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport? Throw on some skates and I will show you how much of a “mock-sport” it really is!

Jan
15

January Spotlight Slammer of the Month


Derby Name: Release The Smacken
Derby Number: #30

Real Name: Amber N. Young
Years of Experience: 2.5 yrs experience

How did you come up with your name and number? Can’t take credit. My boyfriend, John Fitzpatrick and I were skyping (whilst I was deployed) and tossing around ideas – and he threw that one out….I nabbed it and never looked back! Love me some Clash of the Titans.

Why did you join KRD?Because I love roller derby! When I first got here, roller derby did not exist on island. When I heard the whispers of a league starting…it was on!

Worst/Best things about Derby?Worst things: injuries, Loosie’s pads, not getting to play when I’m TDY (does that count?)
Best things: being on skates, the fun work out, the thrill of a contact sport, having a second family

Hobbies outside of Derby?
I like to sing, cook, and play video games (not simultaneously). I drink alcohol pretty well too. I can drink a beer and watch TV like you wouldn’t believe.

What advice would you give to a new derby player? Practice hard and stick with it. If you don’t practice hard and often, you’re stamina won’t be where it needs to be. Then bout day comes and your body can’t keep up. Who wants to feel like they “should have” practiced harder on bout day? Not me. Also, at first, derby can be a bit…bewildering. You think you got it down, but watching and playing are very different. On the track, the “wait, what the hell am I suppose to be doing?!” can feel discouraging. Stick with it, watch others, and at the end of the day, replay things in your head. It will start to make sense.

What position do you play or want to play?
I have played all positions but I love to jam. I guess you could say…I get around.

Do you have any pre-bout rituals?I always make sure I eat and have plenty of water…and more snacks (you do not want to see ‘Low Blood Sugar Amber’). I also say a prayer.

What is your skate gear of choice?
I do love my Antik skates, though my Rebels served me well. I also like my atom pads because they’re smaller and more streamlined. I suck at remembering wheel names but I know I like 2 semi-sticky wheels (88) on each skate. I HATE drifting on skates.

Who are your roller derby heroes?Ima Firestarter & Molly Massacre of the Omaha Roller Girls

Do you have a motivational quote?
You can do this

What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?
Omaha Roller Girls (though never drafted) and of course the KRD!


Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
I collect shot glasses and magnets from all over the world. My fridge is covered and I must have over 100 shot glasses. Also, do clothing and shoes count?…cuz I got a lot of them too!

What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
My favorite flavor of ice cream is “Bluebell Homemade Vanilla”


What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
I have four: Labrinth, Chocolate, Love Actually, and Tombstone

Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
I love singing “You only get what you give” by the New Radicals

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
I Love Lamp


If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Telekinesis and whatever it’s called when you can eat anything you want and still be skinny…I think that’s called lucky.


How did you end up at Okinawa?
Orders!


Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
Thank you to all my derby sisters for helping me grow as a player and as a person. And thank you to those who believe in me when I don’t believe in myself.

What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?Maybe you’re a mock-human being

Jan
15

January Spotlight Hellion of the Month

Derby Name: April Showers
Derby Number: 95

Real Name: April Ascencio
Years of Experience: 1 1/2

How did you come up with your name and number? Number for the year I got married and Name cause that’s what everybody normally says when they say my name “April Showers”

Why did you join KRD?
I wanted to join a league that would be fun, where I would be able to hit some ladies hard.

Worst/Best things about Derby?
Best thing about Derby is that I have met great people. Worst thing is the pulled muscles.

Hobbies outside of Derby?
I’m a mom with teenagers, no time for hobbies, but sometimes I make my own movies in my head about what I would like to do to people! LOL

What advice would you give to a new derby player?
Don’t give up. Not everybody was born to skate and hit but if you love it enough you will find that you have the inner strength to succeed and knock someone out!

What position do you play or want to play?
I am a blocker and Jam when our jammers need a break.

Do you have any pre-bout rituals?
Make sure I shave my legs and wash my pads!

What is your skate gear of choice?
I am liking the 187 gear.

Who are your roller derby heroes?
Carmen Get Some is awesome…..but the ladies on our league that have come back after being on the 9 month sickness.

Do you have a motivational quote?
From the mouth of my Husband, “Hit someone!”

What league(s) are you/have you been affiliated with?
Just wonderful KRD

Do you collect anything, if so, what/why?
Knives….I like to cut things.

What is something that most people don’t know, or would never guess about you?
I use to sell “Adult Novelties”.

What movie(s )can you watch over and over and never get sick of?
The Bridges of Madison County, Love in the Time of Cholrea, The Notebook and The Rocky Collection

Which is your favorite song that you would sing at a karaoke bar?
Push it

How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Committed, Stubborn & Confident

If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
To make people explode with one look! BOOM!

How did you end up at Okinawa?
Like most of the ladies on the league I got here cause my hubby got orders here.

Anyone you’d like to take the opportunity to thank?
I would like to thank my husband for giving me the motivation to stick with it cause he didn’t think I was going to and Mexican Candy for always being a great person and hearing me when I needed to vent!

What do you tell someone who thinks roller derby is a mock-sport?
Get your butt out on that track in some skates and see how fast you can go, how hard you can hit and take a hit then come talk to me!