Do you have any hidden talents?

Ha its not really hidden but i sing in a all female punk/ska band called Babe Patrol!

Do you have any fears or worries when it comes to playing derby? Other fears not concerning derby?

I don’t really have any fears about derby.. only that people won’t think its as amazing as it truly is! And I hate sharks!

We know you have a lot of tattoos but is there one that means the most to you?

This is the hardest question ever because all of my tattoos are extremely personal but i’d have to say the ones dedicated to friends i’ve lost over the years.

Do you play any other sports?

I played ice hockey and roller hockey for a number of years but the transition to quads was super hard.. i was only on them one time before it tried out for the team.

What is your goal for this season?

My goal this season is to be able to hear the refs when they yell at me and be a better jammer and blocker.. jam without cutting. And to be able to block and control.. not so much the hit!

What do you want your derby legacy to be?

I don’t really care.. as long as I have a legacy.. maybe hardest hitter ha ha

What made you join roller derby?

I was looking for a women’s hockey team to join and i was looking up rinks and roller magic came up. They had the Horrors on it and I was like ” oh i could definitely get into that!”

Have you had any serious injuries from playing derby?

Hahaha a lot of bruises.. a pulled groin, 2 ribs out of place, a chipped tooth and idk what else.

Photo Courtesy of Greg Paret

How did you hear about the Horrors?

Well, when I heard about the Horrors I didn’t live in the Hudson Valley I was just visiting friends. We were off to go hiking for the day and drove passed Roller Magic. My boyfriend yelled out to stop the car let’s go roller skating. All the rinks back home were all long since closed down. Needless to say we turned the car around, went to open skate and as we were leaving the owner of Roller magic handed me a tryouts flyer and told us all about the Horrors. I was immediately in love and that was when the fire was lit for us to move! About a year later we had moved and I was Fresh meat!
TRUE STORY.

How long have you been skating?

I grew up hitting my local roller rink but it had been at least 15 years since I put on quads. I was a roller blader until Derby. This is my second season in Derby.

What does your family think about your interest in derby?

I would say they don’t think much about it. It’s another “weird” thing that I am doing. My mom worries about the possibility of me getting hurt. I like to think my Dad secretly thinks it’s Bad Ass. Non of my family have ever seen me play.

How has derby impacted your life, both positively and negatively?

AMAZING… words cannot describe the group of people I am lucky enough to call my team mates and friends. I came here knowing very few people and now I have an amazing support system. Plus, derby makes you feel like you CAN DO ANYTHING! Oh, and the Derby monster ate my life.

Do you have any pre-game rituals?

Some things are best not shared.

What is your favorite derby position?

Blocker but, I aspire to be the player that can play all positions well.

If you could change any rule, what would it be and why?

I am hopeful for the day there are no more Minor penalties. I think eliminating minors would keep the intensity of the game up and leave the Ref’s to focus on the Major penalties. I think there would be less confusion for players, Ref’s, Officials and Fans.

Who is your roller derby role model?

I think everyone on my team is a role model to me in some way but, if I have to pick just one then I’m going to say my teammate Cherry Lifesaver. She has a great attitude, she’s so encouraging and helpful to her fellow skater, she has a healthy balance of seriousness and fun when it comes to derby, and she’s a beast on the track.

What is your favorite derby position?

My favorite position is jamming because i love speed skating.

What is your best derby moment?

My best derby moment has to be when i won the MVP award at the end of last season in a game against Troy. It was totally unexpected and was so awesome!!

Worse derby moment?

My worse derby moment was this past game against Roc City. I managed to get in the box, I believe, three times in the first half…so annoying!!

Do you have any fears?

My biggest fear, and yes it’s crazy, is the dark. I don’t know why but i hate it!

How long have you been skating and what attracted you to derby?

I’ve only been on quads since 2010 but I started out on roller blades about 15 years ago. I was attracted to roller derby because it’s a full contact sport.The point of the game is to knock people down :)!

Who or what influenced your derby name?

My sister who is also on the team, Hitz & Glamour, came up with my name. After many nights of thinking of countless numbers of names she said “What about Dodge Charge-Her, you know like the car?” Due to my love of cars, Dodge Chargers especially, it just stuck.

How did you hear about the Horrors?

I work at Hyde Park Roller Magic where all the home bouts are played, so I had seen a couple of games and was determined when I was old enough I was joining the team. Also after hearing my sister and co-worker talk about how much they loved playing, I really couldn’t not tryout.

What is your dream job?

My dream job is to become a racecar driver for reasons similar to jamming, I have a need for speed!

What is your day job?

I am the Logistics Director for an online retailer – basically, I get stuff from one place to another – like on the track when I get my Jammer from the back of the pack to the front – it’s all Logistics.

How long have you been skating and what attracted you to roller derby?

I am in my 3rd Season of Derby (no small feat at 43 years old!) and HVH is my 2nd League – I started with the Long Island Roller Rebels in the 2010 Season when a friend I knew outside of derby started skating and harassed me until I came to a bout – when I saw the sheer athleticism and passion that those ladies had for this sport I was totally hooked!

Besides skating, what are your other hobbies?

I have been a life long athlete – played Div I Soccer, Women’s Professional Football and have a passion for Boxing, Kickboxing and MMA – I am also a singer-songwriter – semi-retired, but I did some regional touring back in the day and have released 1 CD and have another that remains unfinished – Derby took over my life 3 years ago and I have a bit of unfinished business out there.

Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

No piercings besides my ears – but I have multiple tattoos – including my newest, a super jacked up and fierce derby girl designed and tattooed on my right thigh by HVHRD’s own Speed and Endurance Coach and all around famous (and infamous) dude – Tony Marchese

What is your best derby memory?

My first season with Long Island – we played a bout against Wilkes-Barre – at the last minute several skaters had to drop out, so only 7 of us made the trek from LI to PA and skated against WB who had a full roster of 14 – it was on a Sunday, we had all played in a full bout the night before – I skated in 90% of the jams in that bout, including every single jam in the 2nd half and we just rotated jammers and came out with the win – it was the most incredible feeling I have ever had in derby and was a test of not just physical, but mental endurance for all of us who skated – and whenever I hear a skater say she has to rest or just cant push any harder, I think of that bout and I know that we all have that in us – we just give up on ourselves too easily.

Do you have any fears?

I am most afraid of life getting in the way of my passions – There is a place for work and responsibilities – but a life without passions isn’t really a life at all…

How has derby impacted your life both positively and negatively?

Derby has renewed my faith in the power of physicality as a natural mood altering chemical – Derby makes me feel good! Period! But, derby also has it’s heartbreak because it is filled with PEOPLE – and people can disappoint you and hurt you – but they can also lift you up and they can certainly surprise you. I try to stay away from the drama and the people that seem to thrive on drama – STFU and SKATE!!

What/who influenced your derby name?

Well, no feel good, funny, risque, sexual innuendo names for me!! As most of my league-mates and friends know, I am recovering alcoholic – and Whiskey Lullabye is a song by Alison Krauss and Brad Paisley about a heartbroken couple who drink themselves to death – and that’s the place I go when I drink – it’s like putting a loaded gun in my mouth – so my derby name resonates with me why I play sports and stay healthy and on the right path.

If you were an animal, what would you be?

I would be a Phoenix as I rose from the ashes of my old life and into the kick-ass amazing life I have today!

Photo courtesty of Jolene

Q:How did you come up with your derby name? Any chances you like the cereal?

A: Kaptain Punch actually helped me come up with my derby name (funnily enough)…but I do LOVE cereal.  Probably my favorite food!

Q: What are your hobbies, besides roller derby?

A: You know, baking, eating, playing outside…that sort of thing

Q: Any tattoos or piercings?

A: I have three tattoos, and my nose and ears are pierced.

Q: What is your dream job?

A: My dream job would probably be getting paid for doing derby actually…getting paid to skate and do all the extra work in maintaining the league I love.  I’d be so in.

Q: What would you consider your best derby moment so far?

A: Hmmm I guess my best derby moment has been scoring points in my first jam of my first bout ever.

Q: Have you had any serious injuries?

A: Nothing broken yet, knock on wood.  I guess besides a sprain here or there and bumps and bruises, it would have to be the haematoma I had recently.

Q: What was the last book you read?

A: Currently re-reading the first Harry Potter (because I’m a nerd and I love every minute of it).  But the last one completed was Mighty be our Powers by Leymah Gbowee (with Carol Mithers).

Q: Name your top three favorite bands.

A: That’s a toughy!!  I’m going to have to go with the all-time big standouts just for the sake of narrowing it down…Foo Fighters, Say Anything, and Big D and the Kids Table

Q: Why did you join the horrors?

A: After attending a game back in 2010 I was amazed by this sport played by all women! So I decided to try out and I fell in love with derby and the Horrors ♥

Q: What has been your favorite game and why?

A: My favorite game was on sep 24 2011 because that was my very first bout. It was against assault city and I will never forget it.

Q: If you could change any rule what would it be?

A: If I could change any rule it would be to be able to bite! I mean really, sometimes during a game if you are in my way I just want to EatYa!

Q: If a derby movie was made about the horrors, who would you want to star as your role?

A: If a movie was made about the Horrors I would want Angelina Jolie to star as my role because she is so badass at action movies

Q: What is your day job?

A: My day job? More like night job…no just kidding, I play with papers for about eight hours in a place called the bank

Q: You can only eat one thing for the rest of your life, what is it?

A: If I could eat one thing for the rest of my life it would be YOUR BRAINS!!

Photograph courtesy of Matt Wilson

Q: How did you think of your derby name?

A: After the first month of freshmeat I started thinking. 3 months later I still had no ideas neither did my friends or family. Lots of ideas but they were either taken or to close to a someone on the Horror’s or just not funny. I like British comedy. A friend came up with R. Sovertits. Sometimes people get the joke and sometimes not but when they do they give it a good laugh so it is worth it.

Q: What does your family think about the sport and the fact that you play?

A: They are very supportive. During my first bout my grandmother cornered me at half time to give me some pointers even though she has never seen a bout before and my mom sent me flowers the next day. Everyone thinks it is a unique and fun sport and they like the team.

Q:What has been your best derby moment?

A: It was really cool to win the last home game of the season year before last. My favorite moments are when we just play well together. Like magic.

Q:Any advice for girls wanting to try out?

A: Just decide to try it and do it.

Q:What are your goals for this season?

A: No airplane arms and like always endurance. Maybe my endurance is low because I waive my arms?? Eh. My goal for the team would be for us to react quickly and together.

Q:Besides derby, what are some of your other interests?

A: I really enjoy traveling-oh and sleeping. I also have a personal goal to finish a book soon. Any book would be fine.

Q:Any pre-bout rituals?

A: I like have to have all of my regular gear. I find no luck in being stinky.

Q:Who is your favorite super hero?

A: She-ra because she has a twin brother and I have a twin brother. And She-ra and I both like to kick ass. And I would one day like to have a flying unicorn.

Join the Roller Derby Junior League

We welcome girls of all shapes and sizes to come out and join in the grass-roots derby revival that has become a global phenomenon! Roller Derby promotes a positive body image and encourages confidence!

Q:  How did you choose your derby name?

A:  I used to belong to a motorcycle club and my riding name was Sway so I knew it had to have that in it. A coworker actually came up with the “Slam’n” part, as in hitting you (slamming) AND as in hot babe (she’s slamming). LOL!

Q: Whats your biggest fear?

A:  Claustrophobic as can be

Q: Who’s your favorite roller derby player ?

A: NY based Suzy Hotrod (cuz she’s amazing), Non-NY Dolly Rocket (cuz she’s got pretty big attitude)

Q: Whats your day job?

A: Crime Fighter for NYS

Q: What other sports have you played?

A:  Softball, diving, swimming, soccer

Q: Favorite team to watch besides your own?

A: Gotham Girls

Q: How long have you been playing for?

A: Going into my 5th season

Q: If you had only one choice of food for the rest of your life what would it be?

A:  Seafood!

Q: Favorite position? and why?

A: Back Blocker: I like cutting a path for my jammer. But I am beginning to like jamming now that I’ve been doing it more and enjoy blocking my way through.

Q: What is your day job?

A: Social Worker by day, Super Savior by Night

Q: Do you have any fears? If so what are they?

A: I am fearful of dying tomorrow so I live life to the fullest

Pin-Up Ghoul on the Track Photo Credit: Wolfgang Kurth

Q: What is your “day job”?

A: Customer Service at American Icon Screen Printing

Q: What is your favorite tattoo and why?

A: My Sleeve. Just because.

Q: Do you have any fears?

A: Yes.

Q: What or who has influenced your choice in derby name?

A: I like Pin-Up Girls and we’re the Horrors….so….

Q: Do you play any other sports?

A: No

Q: Do you have any pet peeves

A: Yes, quite a few.

Q: Has derby influenced your life positively or negatively and how?

A: Positively – I’m more outgoing and have more confidence than I used to.

Q: How long have you been skating?

A: Since I was about six…with a 15 year break in there somewhere.

Q: What would you like your derby legacy to be?

A: I’m not even sure how to answer this.

Q: Who is your favorite roller derby team other than your own?

A: To Watch: Gotham Girls; To play with/against: Long Island

Cherry Lifesaver on the Track Photo Credit: Kelly Marsh

Q: Who is your favorite Roller Derby player and why?

A: That would be Bonnie Thunders from Gotham Girls Roller Derby- Bronx Gridlock.  Not only is she athletic, agile and fast, she is very humble about it.  I find her to have a great mind for Roller Derby

Q: What attracted you to Roller Derby?

A: The originality of the sport; being primarily played by females, team camaraderie and promoting female empowerment each day.

Q: How did you choose your Derby name?

A: I wanted to include my profession into my name: LifeSaver, since I am a nurse and Cherry just fit.

Q: How has Derby impacted your life both positively and negatively, if either?

A: Positively- I have learned how to be a team player, both on and off the track.

Q: What is your day job?  What would your dream job be?

A: I am a full-time RN (Registered Nurse).  I currently work at MHMG in Fishkill, GI Department/Procedures. My dream job?  I’m currently working it or full-time Roller Derby player.

Q: Any tattoos or piercings?

A: Yes.  Piercings: Ears, nose, eyebrow. Tattoos: On hip/groin area.

Q: Any fears?

A: Getting serverly hurt and unable to play Roller Derby

Q: What would you like your Derby legacy to be?

A: Being the lowest skater and never giving up?

Q: Other than your own team, what’s your favorite team?

A: Bronx Gridlock

Learn more about Cherry Lifesaver