The Cincinnati Rollergirls’ 2015 roster boasts a healthy mix of veterans, rookies and transfers. Learn about three of our new skaters in part two of our new skaters profiles.
Photo of Cherry Choke and Scrappy Sue by John Wijsman
REDRUM #29
Favorite Derby Position: I’m a diehard blocker, but there’s nothing like breaking through walls as a jammer and scoring points for your team.
Transfer or Rookie? Rookie
Derby Experience: I’ve been on skates since I was 4 years old. However this is my first season trying my hand at roller derby.
What is something you want fans to know? Life is too short to be unhappy. Find what you love and throw yourself at it! Even if it gives you bruises.
What has been your biggest challenge while playing roller derby? My biggest challenge has been juggling my work/personal/derby life. It’s hard work, but it’s doable, and the rewards more than make up for the challenges.
What are the rewards you get from playing roller derby? The biggest reward of playing roller derby has been the relationships I’ve gained. I’m now part of this elite family and it’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
Inspiration Behind Your Name: It’s taken from one of the most iconic horror movies of all time. My derby name was given to me by the Cincinnati Battering Rams. The team already called me Red, so there was no arguing how perfectly it suited me.
What are your biggest goals for roller derby? I want to be a skater that my team trusts. Someone you are excited to be in a pack with, and someone that you know will never give anything but 110 percent.
What’s the biggest misconception you’ve been faced with regarding roller derby? If I hear one more person refer to my skates as my “blades,” I will lose my ever-loving mind.
What gets you pumped up before a practice or game? Listening to anything by Sleigh Bells.
What’s your most valued piece of gear you own/wear? My mouthguard fo sho! I have a ridiculous fear of losing my teeth.
How do you cross train? My background is in dance, therefore I tend to do more Zumba-esque workouts. I’ve also recently gotten into yoga.
Who is your favorite inspirational athlete or person? The most inspirational person in my life is my mother. She’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever known. While also a skater, she found herself unable to skate derby after she became a mother. While I have a 3-year-old daughter myself, my mother has promised to do whatever it takes to help me succeed in my derby career and for that I am forever grateful.
Scrappy Sue #18
Favorite Derby Position: Blocker – for sure
Transfer or Rookie? Rookie
Derby Experience: I began Monday Night Derby at The Skatin’ Place about 2 years ago.
What is something fans might not know? Derby is hard work and those bruises are real!
What has been your biggest challenge while playing roller derby? The biggest challenge since making the team is to not get discouraged because I’m not progressing as fast as I want. It’s hard not to compare myself to veteran skaters.
What are the rewards you get from playing roller derby? When I first started roller derby, it was something just for me. I didn’t have to share or be nice! Now, I get to share roller derby with my daughter. It’s been fun to have something else in common with her. Who else gets to shop for leopard-print leggings with their daughter?!
What made you choose CRG? I chose CRG because they were more competitive than other teams I watched. I figured, “If you’re going to do something, might as well do it right.”
Inspiration Behind Your Name: Choosing a name was almost as hard as learning turnaround toe stops! If I have an inspiration, it would be Scrappy Doo.
What’s the biggest misconception you’ve been faced with regarding roller derby? The biggest misconception I’ve faced has been about the kind of women that play roller derby. The perception is that the only women who play have lots of tattoos and piercings and live some crazy lifestyle. That’s simply not true.
Who has been your biggest supporter in roller derby? My husband. When I get discouraged, he helps me put things in perspective. He has encouraged me to keep working and getting better at derby.
What are your biggest goals for roller derby? My goals would be to get rostered and master the turnaround toe stop!
What’s your most valued piece of gear you own/wear? My leopard-print leggings that I bought to match my daughter.
How do you cross train? Dance games and Wipeout for the Xbox.
What is your roller derby/athletic mantra? No matter how good I am there will always been someone better than me. I want to be the best I can and make my kids proud.
Rox Yuon Yr’Ass #13
Favorite Derby Position: Blocker!
Transfer or Rookie? Transfer from Gem City Rollergirls
Derby Experience: About 1.5 years.
What is something fans might not know about you? I was a contestant on Fear Factor.
What are the rewards you get from playing roller derby? I get sadistic satisfaction from knocking jammers flat onto their backs. Frustrating them makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.
What has been your biggest challenge while playing roller derby? Not hurting my teammates during practice.
What is your roller derby/athletic mantra? Always challenge yourself. Everyone has something they can be trying to improve/learn. Once you master a skill, build on it and push yourself further. It’s not showing off just because the other person can’t do it – it’s pushing yourself so you improve.
What are your biggest goals for roller derby? Be the female version of Tink, just less bulky.
-Karli Hustle