*DETAILED*
2006 DUST-DEVIL ROLLERGIRL RESULTS!
Article By: Derby Dog
DerbyDog@nationalrollerderbyleague.com
In front of a crowd of over 800, the first ever Dust Devil Rollergirl Invitational commenced at Tucson Arizona’s own “Bladeworld” roller-hockey arena. There were 20 teams participating from all across the nation under one roof to find out who’s the best Rollergirl team in the United States.
Penn Jersey She Devil, LaBrucha, comments that the invitational was a great opportunity to get together with women and teams across the country that shared one common interest: love for the sport of roller derby. “Roller girls show that they can be strong, aggressive and still feminine at the same time,” she emphasizes.
“Old school, banked tracked roller derby was, undeniably, a sport. I just want to keep that tradition alive…” quotes Irish Roller of the Penn Jersey She Devils. Morticia Mynx of the same Philadelphia-based roller-team adds, “If you can attract and maintain old school fans, then it’s roller derby.”
When asked what was there to be accomplished by coming to Tucson for the competition, “Stronger team support…” replies Racey Lane of the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls. Racey Lane, like her teammates, flew into Tucson from San Jose late Thursday night, nervous about the tournament ahead of them. She considers Rollergirls to be a new form of roller derby, and doesn’t affiliate her sport with the roller-derby from the past. “These games aren’t pre-determined.” says Lane, adding that Rollergirl skaters are strong, assertive, and passionate players. Lane has been skating with the Rollergirls for a year and will continue to do it until the “young folks kick her out.” To date, the worst injury she’s had was tailbone-related. Smiling with soft laughter, Lane states “What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger.”
“When we left Wisconsin, there was 10 inches of snow on the ground,” says Scabs of the Madison, Wisconsin based, Mad Rollin’ “Dairyland” Dolls. Scabs had no prior knowledge of roller derby when she began the sport. A friend had referred her to the sport, and it was fun for her. When asked about her nickname, she laughs that she had gotten the name from skinning her knees during her first practices. When asking if she felt confident her team would win the tournament, “Oh yeah!” was the response.
The fan support was impressive, with a seemingly growing crowd base day by day. One spectator had no family participating, but came out due to a mention in the Arizona Daily Star, one of two newspapers Tucson produces. Herself, a fan of the Hawaiian Warriors, a team from the original brand of roller-derby, finds excitement in the creativity and the enthusiasm of the younger girls. Although she prefers action on a banked track, she finds the flat-track action of the Rollergirls to be quite a thrill. Another couple came out to support their niece, Mouse, who skates for the Mad Rollin’ “Dairyland” Dolls. “It was this or the symphony…. and we chose this,” states her uncle, a local Tucsonan. Another spectator and his wife made a trip from Phoenix to cheer on their local derby skater, Sheriff Shutyerpiao of the Arizona Roller derby. The gentleman admits to being an avid fan of roller derby from childhood. His favorite team? “The world champion T-Birds, of course!”
Even with a few fans of yesterday’s roller-derby, today’s Rollergirls are more geared towards teen to middle-aged alternative life styled audience, incorporating many mature-based and adult-themed names and outfits. Not your conventional public fashion show, many skaters and fans alike sported neon-colored hair, drawn on eyebrows, studded belts and bracelets, body-piercings, heavy make-up and tons of fishnet stockings and striped knee socks galore. Names like: “Hella Fitzgerald,” “Vanna Whitetrash,” Mary Lou Threaten,” “Lucille Brawl” were commonly shouted over the loudspeaker. The play on words became instant hits with the audience. Fans sitting on the floor right outside of the track’s boundaries would occasionally find themselves becoming part of the action as an off-balanced Rollergirl would hurl themselves into the crowd unintentionally after a hard block was being delivered or missed. Other off-balanced Rollergirls usually fell victim to the wall of plexiglass surrounding the track. With each hit, the crowd became more verbally involved, and those who suffered injuries, were shown warm appreciation by the crowd concerned for their safety.
The themes from each city were felt, offering different flavors to the Tucson crowd. The Tent City Terrors from Phoenix were dressed like jailbirds in horizontal stripes. The Dairyland Dolls from Wisconsin wore dairymaid outfits, and the Providence Rollergirls from Rhode Island donned nurse uniforms. Each team was unique right down to the individual player.
Even fans participated in showing hometown appreciation. The Rat City Rollergirls from Seattle Washington brought their mascot, Dirty Ratman Hollahan (a man wearing a black janitor’s jumpsuit equipped with a tail, and Mr. T-style silver chains dangling around his neck), to motivate the Rat City fans. Cowbells rang aplenty when the Dairydolls skated onto the track.
The rules for the invitational were simple. During the first of the three day tournament, each of the 20 competing teams was split into 4 groups. Within that group of 5, each team had an opportunity to show their skills against the other teams and the top 3 teams of that group stayed to battle the next day in the tournament. Each bout was 10 mins. long. During the second day of the tournament, each of the 12 teams would compete to become the final 4 teams standing by the end of the day. Each bout consisted of (3) 20-min. periods. On the third and final day, those final 4 teams were to skate only twice. Those who lost the first game battled each other for the right to be 3rd place. The 2 winning teams battled each other for 1st and 2nd positions.
Day 1
Texas 70, Atlanta 01
Gotham 24,
Kansas City 26
Atlanta 24, Duke City 22
Texas 36, Kansas City 35
Kansas City 52, Atlanta 6
Texas 32, Gotham 16
Kansas City 51, Duke City 7
Gotham 26, Atlanta 8
Duke City 6,
Texas 77
Rank
1. Texas
2. Kansas City
3. Gotham
4. Atlanta
5. Duke City
Arizona 50, Dallas 1
Dairyland Dolls 42, Windy City 0
Dallas 15,
B.A.D. Girls 21
Windy City 7,
Arizona 47
B.A.D. Girls 14,
Dairyland Dolls 27
Dallas 24, Windy City 13
Arizona 7, Dairyland Dolls 5
Windy City 6,
B.A.D. Girls 26
Dairyland Dolls 37, Dallas 11
B.A.D. Girls 25, Arizona 25
Rank
1. Arizona
2. Dairyland Dolls
3. B.A.D. Girls
4. Dallas
5. Windy City
Minnesota 48, Assassination 10
Carolina 42, Sin City 26
Assassination 46, Houston 9
Sin City 13,
Minnesota 34
Houston 5,
Carolina 26
Assassination 26, Sin City 20
Minnesota 28, Carolina 25
Sin City 24, Houston 23
Carolina 46, Assassination 9
Houston 13,
Minnesota 52
Rank
1. Minnesota
2. Carolina
3. Sin City
4. Houston
5. Assassination
Tucson 51, Rocky Mtn. 1
Rat City 52, Providence 19
Rocky Mtn. 18,
Rose City 39
Providence 4,
Tucson 53
Rose City 7,
Rat City 56
Tucson 22, Rat City 11
Providence 46, Rose City 12
Rat City 45, Rocky Mtn. 6
Rose City 0,
Tucson 41
Rank
1. Tucson
2. Rat City
3. Providence
4. Rose City
5. Rocky Mtn.
**Rollergirl Standouts**
Rat City - #7-Pints “Drew Blood”
Drew Blood was very maneuverable on her feet weaving through and around the pack and racked up a majority of her teams points. She was the 1st Rollergirl of the event to pass the opposing pack 3 times for a whopping 15 points in one jam helping to crush Rose City, 56 points to 7!
Texas Rollergirls
They beat their oppositions at times by 60-70 point deficits! The team as a whole was dangerous to mess with.
Tucson Saddletramps
Had a well oiled machine, working well together as a team. They too would beat their opposition by 40-50 point deficits.
Matchup of the Day:
Tucson Saddletramps VS Rat City Rollergirls
The crowd was split in cheering for these teams. The fans’ noise was deafening. Both teams gave one of the hardest efforts of the night and the score was quite close from beginning to end. As the time winded down to the last seconds… Tucson’s #RIP Tombstone Teri slammed into the plexiglass protector face-first, and dizzily collapsed to the floor. Medics aided a motionless, yet conscious, Teri by constraining her neck in a brace and placing her on a makeshift stretcher. Teri gave both thumbs up to the cheering crowd while being wheeled off the track. Her condition was unknown, but rumors of a dislocated jaw were being spread. A very bittersweet victory for Tucson. Tombstone Teri did in fact show up the next 2 days dressed up in uniform to support her team, but unfortunately unable to skate.
MVP
Dallas Derby Dolls – #25 “Razen Kane”
This captain for the Dallas team was a pure blend of true athleticism, hardcore grit, charisma and sportsmanship. Razen Kane was the only skater participating who would smile during the entire jam she was playing, making opponents uneasy in questioning her intentions and predicting her actions. Every bit the performer on the track and every bit the professional off the track, she was as much a pleasure to watch as she was a pleasure to speak to. She received the loudest applause of the day for Lou-Thesz Pressing (check your wrestling dictionaries for that definition, folks) an audience member in a chair and knocking out 2-4 other fans in the process. She truly epitomizes the spirit of roller derby.
Day 2
B.A.D. Girls 77,
Carolina 107
Rat City 208, Sin City 67
Providence 71,
Kansas City 119
Dairyland Dolls 142, Gotham 70
Texas 177, Carolina 65
Arizona 95, Rat City 93
Minnesota 120, Kansas City 79
Tucson 86, Dairyland Dolls 56
**Rollergirl Standouts**
Dairyland Dolls - #4 “Mouse” & #90210 “Pocahotass”
Both of these ladies had great jams, and brought a little more life to the Dairyland Dolls. They had pivotal roles in giving the Dolls their victories.
Texas Rollergirls - #.44 “Derringer”
This lady’s size was a valuble asset to the team. She had to have been the blocker that struck the most fear into opponents. She blocked players hard like a stone wall. She had the weight to stay steady, and the height for leverage. Unfortunately, due to her height, a lot of her blocking was penalized… only because her shoulder-blocks were mainly elbows for the shorter players.
Carolina Rollergirls - #77 “Roxy Rocket”
Great maneuverability during her jams, especially holding her own against the Texas Rollergirls. She went toe to toe with the opposition and could also go knuckle to knuckle with a woman twice her size. She was a very solid skater, with lots of intensity to match. Roxy along with #37 Violet Femme put up one serious fight against Texas as the action seemed non-stop from beginning to end! Carolina and Texas put on an excellent game and there a great deal of sportsmanship and respect between both teams.
Arizona Roller Derby- #23 "Denise Lightning" & #67 "Sheriff Shutyerpaio"
You want to talk about one of the best games of the night, it had to have been Arizona’s Tent City Terrors taking on Seattle’s Rat City All-Stars. Much like the night before, many looked forward to this game, and in possibly the most competitive bout of the whole tournament, Arizona took an early lead in the first quarter only to trail in the second, and with the help of Denise Lightning and Sheriff Shutyerpaio, was able to bring the Arizona team back on top to win by just 2 points! This was everything the fans hoped this match-up would be. The crowd was simply electrified!
Most Questionable Call Of The Night
Tucson Saddletramps VS Mad Rollin’ Dairyland Dolls
Around the start of the 3rd period, the referee sent BOTH Tucson and Dairyland jammers to the penalty box and started the clock… allowing the teams to skate freely in the pack for about a minute and a half! # 5/6 Peter Pannies of the Dairyland Dolls and #18 The Bad of the Tucson Saddletramps made fun of the situation by playfully holding hands while skating together on the track! Nobody can still understand why the call was made…
MVP
Kansas City Roller Warriors - #4 (or #12) “Snot-Rocket”
One of the more impressive jammers of the tournament, Snot-Rocket lead Kansas City to many of their victories. An incredibly light athlete in size, she could hit women almost twice her size and squeeze into the tightest spaces possible and still maintained the balance necessary to score points. In fact, she rarely fell! Her skating ability was unmatched that day and she was the main Rollergirl to watch. Snot-Rocket, with the help of her Roller Warrior teammates, actually earned 17 points off of one jam, a Rollergirls record!
Matchup of the Day:
Minnesota Rollergirls VS Kansas City Roller Warriors
This match-up was practically tied with the Arizona VS Rat City game in terms of athleticism; however, the heart of the struggling Kansas City team, considering all the factors against them, tried ever SO hard to fight back, it pulled the heart-strings of every spectator watching.
If any team showed up into Tucson as an outlaw-team, Minnesota took the prize. Acclaimed as a fair and rule-abiding roller-team by the announcers, Minnesota’s reputation from the night before combined with the previous game they had skated that day, had made the fans dislike the team’s conduct, and placed Minnesota as the recipients of many boos. Even in the earlier part of the game, it was clear Minnesota were playing mind games as #18 Boston Strangler was seen coaxing Roller Warrior #42 Red Ripper by motioning to her and saying “C’Mon,” after an attempted block. Kansas City’s team definitely stood a chance; however, fate reared its ugly head. #911 Patti Whackin’, one of their solid blockers, suffers an arm injury during the game (the next day her arm was in a sling) that sidelines her. Then, in actions obvious to the crowd, a majority of the referee’s calls were either unfair, or weren’t called at all. Many would attest that the officiating during this game was questionable. In actions that were infuriating the crowd, many witnessed as Minnesota skaters like #1-900 Lady KillHer and #18 Boston Strangler, would purposely sneak in illegal forearm blocks while the refs weren’t paying attention.
The sharpest and scariest blow to the Kansas City team’s morale involved #number two, Dirty Britches cranial injury. Dirty Britches had already earned the respect of many individuals as being the only Rollergirl in this tournament to compete without an arm. During a jam she was sandwiched between 2 Minnesota skaters coming around a curve and lost her footing by tripping over the front skater’s back leg (when that particular skater had lost her footing as well). The back skater tried to avoid the occurring accident but had bumped into the back of Dirty Britches in the process, and sent the Kansas City skater face-first onto her weak side. As she hit the ground, the sound of her skull smacked against the floor, and in a delayed reaction she slumped back down onto the ground just as the pain kicked in.
The jam was called off and they quickly got her off the track to sit down. Dirty Britches had trouble sitting up as the medics tried to aid her. A few jams were played…when the screams of her teammates could be heard requesting immediate ambulance assistance. The crowd drew silent as the concussed Kansas City Rollergirl lay limp. Medical attention soon showed up and escorted the lady, now skate-less and moving slowly, off the track. (The good news: Dirty Britches was seen walking alertly and smiling the next day, joking with her team and receiving the best wishes from spectators the night before. When asked what happened to her that night she replied “I don’t remember. But I’m alright.”)
The animosity between the 2 teams was boiling over. The heat was rising in the arena as chants of “Disqualify!” filled the air… all aimed towards Minnesota. It was a very physical and overwhelmingly mental game. Minnesota had gotten into the heads of the Kansas City Roller Warriors and it was apparent the team was upset and furious with the whole situation. #26 Thunderella of Kansas City was witnessed being knocked to the ground and uncontrollably pounding the floor in a furious fit of anger when she felt the refs didn’t blow the whistle on Minnesota’s performance. Not even Kansas City’s own #4 Snot-Rocket’s electrifying 17-point jam was enough to subdue the Minnesota Rollergirls. Minnesota won the game 120-79. The entire crowd was on their feet to celebrate the fallen Roller Warriors, and some even ran onto the outskirts of the track to give hand slaps to the beloved underdogs. The efforts and the heart of the Kansas City Roller Warriors would not go unnoticed by the Tucson audience. Minnesota, on the other hand, left the track in a chorus of boos by spectator and Rollergirl alike. #15 Goldie Box of the Sin City Rollergirls, along with her teammates, visibly showed appreciation to the Minnesota team by angrily extending middle fingers to them.
Day 3
Texas 114, Arizona 81
Tucson 136, Minnesota 75
(Texas & Tucson advance to the championship game.)
-Competing for 3rd Place-
Minnesota Rollergirls VS Arizona Roller Derby
Upon looking at the performance from the Minnesota team the night before, needless to say, Arizona came prepared with aces up their sleeves. They did not want to be on the receiving end of mind games and illegal tactics. They came to the table ready to dish out as much as they were given. Arizona’s preparations still did not manage to stop Minnesota’s game-plan as they quickly took the lead in the beginning of the quarter. The crowd chanting “AZRD” gave the Tent City Terrors enough momentum to push a 20-20 tie by the 5th jam. Arizona soon gained the lead and would not look back. Minnesota’s #18 Boston Strangler, trying to attempt a replay of the night before during the game with Kansas City, found herself ejected by the 8th jam for pulling the same illegal tactics too often. She would join the game a little later on by the 13th jam. The anger level grew between the two clubs. A whistle is blown as referees direct Arizona’s jammer, #23 Denise Lightning, to the penalty box. Out of disgust for the official’s call, she hurls her helmet into the wall, and is ejected out of the game for good with the Tucson crowd booing the official’s call. Soon after, #1-900 Lady KillHer gets sent to the penalty box for a stiff illegal forearm shot to #56 Deez Nutz, and is then ejected as well for having 3 of the same penalties. The girls from Phoenix, Arizona, led by #67 Sheriff Shutyerpaio are able to hold off the Minnesota Rollergirls 113-88, securing the 3rd place seed in the nation.
Unofficial Point Tally (Started When: Min. 20 – Ari. 13)
Minnesota
#99 Rebel Stella – 24 pts (Highest Jam – 6 pts)
#3 Mitzi Massacre – 20 pts (Highest Jam – 8 pts)
#222 Desi Cration – 15 pts (Highest Jam – 4 pts)
#1-900 Lady KillHer – 5 pts (Highest Jam – 3 pts)
#6 Trixie Whipsum – 4 pts
Arizona
#23 Denise Lightning – 50 pts (Highest Jam – 13)
#67 Sheriff Shutyerpiao – 38 pts (Highest Jam – 9)
#777 Bootleg Bonny – 8 pts
#00 DeeDee Capitator - 6 pts
-Final Championship Game-
Texas Rollergirls VS Tucson Saddletramps
The big one was finally upon the spectators. Texas VS Tucson 2006… the self professed “Superbowl of Roller Derby.” With Tucson’s #RIP Tombstone Teri and #.30-.30 Bitch Cassidy on the sidelines supporting their team, Tucson had its hands full trying to topple the invitational’s undefeated Texas Rollergirls. This night belonged to Texas as they gained the lead from the very 1st jam, all the way through to the end. The chemistry between the Texas Rollergirls was proving too much for the Tucson team. Texas downs the hometown heroes 129 – 96 to become the 1st ever national flat-track roller derby champions! #.44 Derringer carries the “Lonestar” flag on a victory lap with a standing ovation from the Tucson audience.
Unofficial Point Tally (Starting In The Beginning)
Texas
#10 Trouble – 39 pts (Highest Jam – 9 pts)
#XX Cat Tastrophe – 20 pts (Highest Jam – 7 pts)
#21 Buckshot Betsy – 18 pts (Highest Jam – 7 pts)
#4x4 Loose Tooth Lulu – 18 pts (Highest Jam – 8 pts)
#40 Bloody Mary – 12 pts (Highest Jam – 4 pts)
#56 Lucille Brawl – 10 pts (Highest Jam – 4 pts)
#66 Barbarella – 8 pts (Highest Jam – 4 pts)
#00 Sparkle Plenty – 4 pts
Tucson
#8 Flo on the Range – 49 pts (Highest Jam – 7)
#241 Fisti the Kid – 38 pts (Highest Jam – 7)
#986 Randi Canyon – 6 pts
#16 Hoot’n Annie - 3 pts (Highest Jam – 2 pts)
MVP
Arizona Roller Derby - #23 “Denise Lightning”
This jammer was certainly giving it her all this night just as she did each night before. She was the cure that Arizona needed to stay afloat in the competition. Going against the now “infamous” Minnesota Rollergirls, she knuckled up to the bar and kept her team alive when it counted the most. Racking up an astounding 50+ points, she was the “go-to” girl for her team and she did not fail them. Don’t let her 3rd place trophy take away from her 1st place athleticism.
Most Professional-Looking Team
1. Windy City Rollers
2. Texas Rollergirls
3. Rat City All-Stars
Most Cheered Team
1. Rat City All-Stars & Tucson Saddletramps (Tied)
2. Arizona Roller Derby
3. Kansas City Roller Warriors
**All MVP information is unofficially determined based on performer's: charisma, point value, team contribution, crowd reaction, and athleticism based on DerbyDog's observations and opinions only. All pictures and logos are sole posessions of their respected owners. All statistic information not offered by National Roller Derby League representatives came from www.tucsonrollerderby.com **
Recent "Rollergirl" Updates!
- 3/3/06 -
