Friday, October 15, 2010
SCDG 2010 Championship
Posted By Gavin Sheehan on October 15, 2010, 10:15 PM
This
Saturday night will see one of the biggest competitions of the year
come to a close, in what we can only hope is a knockdown-dragout
finale. The Salt City Derby Girls championship game (and final
match of the 2010 season) will take place tomorrow evening at The
Salt Palace, bringing their sixth year in existence to a thrillingly
bruised and beaten conclusion. Its been a hell of a year for the
group seeing changes in teams, not to mention what may be the first
three-peat in the league's history.
--- Coming
into the event will be the defending champions, Leave It To Cleavers.
Being the upsetting underdogs in 2008 and retaining defenders of
2009, the harsh-hitting housewives look to be the first team in SCDG
history to take the title home three years in a row. But standing in
their way are this year's comeback kids, The Death Dealers. A team
that's been constantly out of contention for championships over the
years, the persistent ninjas stealthily climbed their way to the top to remain undefeated this year and are looking to assassinate their opponent's chances. Prior to
game time, I got to chat with both the team's captains about their
time in the SCDG, their respective teams, tomorrow's match and
thoughts on roller derby.
Smack and DeckHer &
DangerLove
http://saltcityderbygirls.com/
Gavin:
Hey gals! First off, tell us a bit about yourselves.
S&D:
My name is Katie Woslager, or better known as Smack and DeckHer on
the track. I moved to Utah three years from Boise, Idaho and love it
so far. I work for the Utah Division of Arts & Museums as the
Grant Manager. I love skating and I love art!
DL:
I am 35, married and eight months pregnant with my first baby. I
used to be a Professional Figure Skater. I have a Bachelors Degree
from U of U in Health Promotion & Education. Currently work full
time as an Executive Assistant for a Fortune 500 Company. I love
dogs.
Gavin:
How did you both take an interest in roller derby and what made you
want to join?
DL:
Since I have always either ice skated or roller bladed I thought
this would be somewhat similar and fun. I saw the ad for tryouts in
the Salt Lake Tribune.
S&D:
I played soccer in Boise, both indoor and outdoor and became
involved here as well. At the time, I did it to meet new people and
get in physical exercise at the same time. After a while, I wanted
something more and began to look for other activities to get involved
in. I saw and ad for roller derby tryouts and made the decision to
tryout. I had never heard about it before, or watched it, and thought
it sounded interesting, another avenue to meet friends. It is funny
because I was roller girl for Halloween one year and bought a pair of
$5 dance skates at the thrift store. I dug these skates out of
storage, skated around my linoleum kitchen a few times, and then
showed up for tryouts and made it!
Gavin:
What were your first tryouts like, and what was it like finally
joining the SCDG?
S&D:
Tryouts were scary! I had no idea what I was getting myself into! It
was pretty intimidating watching all these girls skating around.
There were about twenty people at the initial tryout. We split into
two groups and did our timed laps and our skills assessment.
Watching people fall, miss the skill, made part of the process a bit
uncertain. However, everyone was so encouraging and nice, they made
me feel comfortable and at ease. The hardest part of the tryouts was
waiting for the phone call to hear if I made the cut or not. When I
finally joined SCDG, I fell in love. I wanted more and more! It is
definitely true that you become addicted to the sport.
DL:
The girls were really nice when I tried out. Had feelings of what
am I getting myself into to and there’s no going back. Once I
joined I loved learning about each of the girl’s derby names.
Almost every name has meaning or a great story behind it. The
practices made me forget about challenging days at work.
Gavin:
Over the years how was it competing in the league and for your
respective teams?
DL:
Over the years I have loved competing with my team and against other
girls on the league. We all train together so when we compete against
each other you know what to expect from each girl. It’s different
as an All Star/Shaker though and competing against another league...
don’t know really know what to expect from each girl, you learn
quickly in that bout. The reason I keep coming back is I Love my
Team!
S&D:
I have been a member of the league for three years now. I enjoy
skating with the league and my individual team. As a member of the
All Star team for 2 %uFFFD years, I have seen the bigger picture
and league goals and on a smaller scale on my team as I have helped
make those goals for the team.
Gavin:
How did you both end up becoming captains for each team?
S&D:
We vote each year on a new team captain. I was voted in after my
first season as a team member. It is nice to have the support of
your team members behind you to lead your team.
DL:
I was nominated for Captain and voted in by my teammates.
Gavin:
How is it for each of you training with your teammates and
essentially busting their asses to be the best?
DL:
I like to skate with my teammates and push them or use them to push
myself. I liked skating next to a fast jammer and trying to keep up
or pass them. It’s difficult to add extra private practices in
each week/month, we all have lots going on at home or work. Each
practice consist of extra time and money from the girls.
S&D:
I am kind of a hard ass. I work hard, train hard, and expect the
same from my team. Sometimes I am a little too rigid as I have high
expectations. Other leagues across the country practice five days a
week, if I could do that with my league and with my team, I would do
it! However, people with children and families, often struggle with
the commitment. We practice as a league on Monday, doing
skills/drills and endurance and on Thursday we scrimmage each other.
For extra practice, our team has private practice at a local skating
rink, once a week before an upcoming bout, in addition to league
practice. There are also a number of league members and girls from
my team that train with a personal trainer, Surba Tucker, at ATP
Fitness twice a week as well.
Gavin:
DeckHer, The Death Dealers are coming into this having struggled
over the years between 3rd and 4th place, now
the team has a shot at the title. How hard has that stigma been on
the team?
S&D:
I don’t think people really look at it as a stigma. I see it as an
opportunity to become better. It is a starting point. If you aren’t
the best, it gives us a goal to become the best! The Dealers are
excited to be competing for the league title. It should be an
exciting bout!
Gavin:
What did you do collectively to improve your game and essentially
bring yourselves to the championship?
S&D:
During private practices we work on strategies that we utilize
during our scrimmages. Often we mix things up so people don’t know
all our secrets! I think we are very dynamic as a team though, we can
all play all positions, some better than others, and that allows you
to understand the game better and how you can be a better player
yourself.
Gavin:
DangerLove, the Cleavers have two titles under their skirts and
looking at a third. How has it been for you being the team to beat
the past couple seasons?
DL:
I can definitely sense the fight from other teams. When you are on
top you’re the team to beat and others are gunning to take your
place.
Gavin:
So far no team has taken three championships in a row. Is there any
pressure on the team to achieve that marker or have you put that
thought out of your minds?
DL:
I sense our newer girls feel pressure as if they have to live up to
some expectation. There is not an expectation for our team to win
but to only skate their best, stay focused and have fun. The past
two seasons I didn’t feel any pressure to win. I also never went
in feeling like we were going to win. Winning was an extra
bonus.
Gavin:
What are your thoughts going into the championship, both from your
respective teams and yourselves as captains?
S&D:
I am excited for our team for this bout. I think our team is
prepared for the challenge. RollHer Kitty, my Co-Captain, and I have
spent extra time at private practices preparing for this bout. We
have three veterans that are retiring that I know of, Bombshell
Bruiser, who has been with the league for five years, Movin’
Violation, who has been with the league for four years, and Chase N’
Tail, who is leaving after her third season. We actually were fresh
meat together. This bout if anything, will be a great end of the
season finale for these girls.
DL:
Going into the Championships I want the Cleavers to remember why
they do this. Their blood, sweat, tears, time and financial
commitments all come down to this moment that they will never forget.
Have fun and bring it.
Gavin:
Going local for a bit, what's your take on the way roller derby has
grown in appeal and participation around the state?
DL:
My take is it’s getting a bigger fan base. I think Utah has come
a long way with participation over the three years I have been doing
this. There seems to be more girls interested in tryouts each
year.
S&D:
I think it is amazing and certainly very encouraging. It definitely
shows that there is an appeal for the sport. With the increase in
interest and growth, I can definitely see more leagues popping up
around the state and it becoming pretty competitive.
Gavin:
What's are your thoughts on the other local leagues around the state
and the work they've done to promote the sport?
S&D:
I think it is great to have other leagues in the state. It shows
the strength in the sport and that it is growing exponentially. A
lot of states have had an initial league that started the sport in
their state and then others bridging on that knowledge have left to
start their own leagues. Colorado is a good example, Denver has
multiple teams and those teams are all highly ranked in the western
region. It is because they are able to compete against each other
and practice to improve the sport. I see it as an opportunity for
collaborative growth and healthy competition.
DL:
I think the other Utah local leagues have done a great job
recruiting and competing with SCDG teams. Not everyone can drive
from Ogden to SLC to practice two times a week. When we bout with the
other Utah leagues we are both promoting the event.
Gavin:
How is it for you competing against some of those leagues and seeing
how other women are at the same skills?
DL:
I think it’s great to compete against other leagues and see their
skills. This only makes us better for the next bout. We learn more
each time we bout another league.
S&D:
It is good to compete against other leagues. I enjoy attending their
bouts and supporting the sport as a whole, as they do for us, and
gaining additional derby knowledge. People who are better than you
skill wise only improve your game. On the other hand, if those girls
are not as strong skill wise, it encourages them to get better as
well.
Gavin:
With the growth in competition and fandom, do you believe Roller
Derby has found its new era, or does it still have some growing to do
before it reaches that point?
S&D:
I think that roller derby has found a new era, but it is definitely
still emerging. Growth still needs to happen and awareness. I often
talk to people in Utah and they have no idea that roller derby
exists. When I visit Idaho and talk about derby, people say the same
thing. What is great about that newness of the sport, is that it has
room to grow.
DL:
I think it still has growing to do. It would be nice to be paid to
skate or have travel and equipment paid for. A lot of girls leave
each year to devote their time and money in other things. It would
be wonderful to have girls stay on longer, I think it would help the
fans be more involved.
Gavin:
Last year the film “Whip It” was released. What were your
thoughts on the film and the way it portrayed roller derby
today?
DL: I
thought the film was great. You never know what girl is really going
to excel in this sport. Also shows that size does not matter. In
the end though it’s a team strategy mixed with skill. dedication
and hard work.
S&D:
“Whip It” was a cute story with roller derby in it. As far as
the portrayal of roller derby, some aspects of it were true and
others were not that accurate. I think that having a movie shown in
the mainstream definitely brings awareness to the sport on a bigger
level.
Gavin:
What can we expect from both of you after the season ends?
S&D:
On Monday, October 18th, I am headed to Massachusetts for
a vacation with my mother. I am not even going to take a break! I
am packing my skates and will be skating with the Pioneer Valley
Roller Derby girls in North Hampton, MA. I may even try to go and
skate in New Hampshire, which is not too far away, and also in
Connecticut, where my aunt lives. As far as my future with SCDG, I
intend on staying with the league. I am excited to see what the
league has planned. We will see… I may take a break too. My
decision has not been made just yet.
DL:
For me I hope a healthy baby. I will see how I feel after the baby
is born and if I have a burning itch to still skate. I can’t
imagine being away from all the wonderful friends I have
made.
Gavin:
Is there anything you'd like to plug or promote?
DL:
Yes, be sure and checkout our Leave It To Cleavers 18 month calendar
on sale at the SCDG Merchandise Booth. There are some fine looking
Cleaver housewives!
S&D:
Yes, I want to thank our team sponsor, Carson Elevator for the past
twp years of support. I also want to encourage those that want to
increase their level of fitness, that they consult the team at ATP
Fitness. Surba Tucker has been an amazing asset to training derby
girls!
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