By Josh Cook
It was a history-making season for the Derby City Rollergirls. And if 2010 is any indication there could be more to come.
This year Louisville's women's flat track roller derby team recorded its first winning season in team history, and also achieved a ranking of No. 18 in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA)'s North Central Region.
"Overall it was absolutely amazing to have our first winning season ever!" DCRG coach Melissa Allgeier (a.k.a. Mel O'Drama) said. "The girls were really appreciative towards me for helping them achieve that, but honestly they did all the work. I just steered them in the right direction. If we are to continue on this path then we must continue to work hard and strive to be better than we were at our last practice."
DCRG closed out their season with a 156-45 win over the Rollergirls of Central Kentucky (ROCK) on last Saturday night. Slamus Aran was the most valuable blocker and Trick Pony the most valuable jammer for the team.
"I could not have been more proud of our teamwork and dedication," Allgeier said. "ROCK has come along way as well, but we were just one step ahead of them. We worked as a unit to shut down their jammer and help our own through the pack. This was a perfect ending to a great season because we were able to show our fans that we are a team now and that they can depend on us to come back strong next season!"
DCRG lost their first match of the 2010 season, 225-18 to Indianapolis' Naptown Roller Girls, who are ranked 11th in the WFTDA's North Central Region. However they won their next three games before losing back-to-back matches, against 14th-ranked Ohio Roller Girls and the 16th-ranked Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls from Bloomington, Ind. DCRG closed out their season by winning their final two games.
"Looking back at this season, I am absolutely amazed at the progress we were able to make in a few short months, so I'm excited and optimistic about our future as a league!" Allgeier said. "After a short break, we will go into training season where I hope to get the girls in better shape physically and mentally. The first half we'll focus on endurance and strength training and the second half will be dedicated to strategy."
DCRG hold an informational meeting and introductory skating clinic at the Manslick Rollerdrome at 11 a.m. Aug. 8.
"We are looking for athletic women who are 21 and older and have insurance," the promotional flier says. "Please bring your own mouth guard, a copy of your insurance and driver's license, and be ready to skate. We will provide all other gear and skates for the clinic." For more information visit the team's website, or e-mail them at training@derbycityrollergirls.com.
There will be "boot camps" for anyone interested in being a roller derby referee from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. July 18 and 25 at the Manslick Rollerdrome. You must be 21 or older with insurance and full gear (helmet, elbow and knee pads, wrist guards and inline or quad skates).
DCRG 2010 RESULTS
Jan. 26 - Naptown Roller Girls (Indianapolis) 225, DCRG 18
Feb. 27 - DCRG defeated Demolition City Roller Derby (Evansville, Ind.)
March 27 - DCRG 129, Black-N-Bluegrass Roller Girls (Florence, Ky.) 74
April 10 - DCRG 119, Circle City Socialites (Indianapolis) 28
May 15 - Ohio Roller Girls (Columbus, Ohio) 179, DCRG 50
June 12 - Bleeding Heartland Roller Girls (Bloomington, Ind.) 147, DCRG 41
June 26 - DCRG 141, Northeast Ohio (Akron, Ohio) 39
July 10 - DCRG 156, ROCK (Rollergirls of Central Kentucky) 45
