IRDD Covergirl Of The Month, January 2011: Lady Bowser of the Muddy River Nightmare

Real Name: Kaelee Bousman
Derby Name: Lady Bowzer
Team: The Muddy River Nightmares
Position: Jammer/Occasional Blocker
Age: 20
Current Town: Clinton, Iowa.
Hometown: Clinton Iowa.
College: Clinton Community College 2nd year (Elementary Education)
Family: Ed (Boyfriend), Margo (Mama), Troy (Dad), Sandy (My amazing Grandma), Matt and Josh (Older Brothers), Sierra (Baby sister), and Gir and Boo (My cats)
Employment: DM Services!


Were you athletic growing up? I’ve been involved in some sort of sport since I was 7 or 8 years old. I’ve played softball (7 to 18 years old), Basketball (middle school), Volleyball (Middle school), ran track (Middle school through senior year) and I ran cross country (All 4 years of High School). I also started bowling when I was 5 or 6 years old (if you would count that as a sport)

How did you get involved in Roller Derby? I heard about a team in Clinton when I was 17, obviously too young to play and still in high school, From the first time I heard about it I thought it would be so cool to play such a badass sport. The following June after I had turned 18 and began dating my boyfriend Ed, his sister Brandi was on the derby team after hearing stories and seeing the bruises, I had to try it out. She invited me to come to practice with her and from that day on I was hooked!

Describe the first time you practiced with a derby team? My first ever practice (actually hitting and what not) was so nerve racking I thought I was going to puke. I was so excited to learn more about this sport but nervous because I knew it was an aggressive/hard hitting sport and I did not want to get hurt. My first practice I was asked by the team captain at the time (Prrrfect Disaster) to try jamming, which I was totally against doing at the time. She finally talked me into trying and that’s been my main position from then on.

How has derby impacted your life? Derby has impacted my life in so many ways; it is a release for me, a way to express myself. Before I joined the derby team, I did not have many female friends, and it has been awesome to meet so many women from all different walks of life, and have something so amazing in common. I have gained a second family in the girls on my team, I’ve also gained great friends from other derby teams. Derby has also taught me that there are many different forms of beauty and that no matter what size or shape you are, you are beautiful and strong! Derby has made me into a stronger and better human being.

What is your favorite aspect of Derby? There are so many aspects of this sport that I absolutely love.
I love the fact that it is a team sport! I would not get anywhere in that pack if it was not for my blockers. I love the fact that I have 10+ women that I can look to for advice and support on and off the track. I love the fact that it is such a competitive sport, but after the bout is over the 2 teams are like sisters, we have a good time together. The screaming of the fans when something exciting happens, and having little girls come up to me and tell me they want to be a derby girl when they get older.

Least favorite? Injuries, I don’t want to get hurt, and don’t want to see any of my teammates hurt, but it is the risk we take to do what we love.

What are your goals for your team this season or next season? My goals for the team, is to just keep working hard and to keep improving. We have come so far in a short amount of time and it is so exciting to be a part of something so amazing. Since we are a relatively new team I can speak for everyone on the team when I say that we want to get our name out there more, and to have more and more people know who we are. There are great things in The Nightmares future and am so glad to be here for it. We’ve only just begun! Sleep with an eye open cause the Muddy River Nightmares are coming!

IRDD Cover Girl for October/November: Toxic Sugar of the Old Capital City Roller Girls

Real name: Kimberly Hendricks
Derby name: Toxic Sugar
Team: Old Capitol City Roller Girls OCCRG
Position: Pivot (mostly) but I play all blocking positions
Age: 34 (will be 35 Oct 25th)
Current Town: Iowa City
Hometown: Iowa City
College: Kirkwood Community College
Family: Husband is a police officer with Johnson County Sheriffs Dept. 4 daughters: the "little Sugars" Chloe 6 yrs old. Jocelyn, Farrah and Silvie 3 yr old triplets.

Were you athletic growing up? I was a bit athletic growing up. Played softball from age 5 until my freshman year of high school, but no sports other than that.

How did you get involved in Roller Derby? I became involved in derby when OCCRG first began in October 2008. A friend of mine, called and asked me to go with her to check it out. (Fonda Cuffs-retired OCCRG)I had been at home "playing Mommy" since the triplets were born (03/07) It was time for me to find an activity that was "just for me" I went to my first practice and fell in love with everything about Roller Derby!

How has derby impacted your life? Derby has impacted my life in so many ways! Being a mom has been the MOST challenging and most rewarding aspect of my life. My daughters and my husband mean more to me than anything in the world. When I found Derby, I was at a point in my life that I felt I had lost a piece of myself. I was so focused on being a Mommy, that I forgot about myself. A happy Mommy=a happy family. I needed some time away, out of the house, doing all those everyday things, to regain that part of myself. I regained my personal confidence, my athleticism, my courage to take on a new challenge. I became part of something that is so much more than putting on skates and working up a sweat. I found my place within a group of women who are strong, confident, athletic, spontaneous, creative and hardworking. All the things that I am. A group of women, each so different, yet share a common bond, the love of the game. Derby has given me an outlet to express myself. To feel like a strong, beautiful and confident woman. A woman that can kick ass athletically and take part in all the fantastic things that come along with belonging to a team.


What is your favorite aspect of Derby? I have so many favorites about Derby. I love being hands on with so many aspects of the team. Mostly I love the game. What it stands for. Strong, Beautiful, Athletic Women kicking ass and taking names. I love the way I feel when I lace up my skates and play hard. I am proud to be a part of something so WONDERFUL. The friendships I have made will last a lifetime! Another thing that goes into the things I love about derby...the fact that we are a team of women that give so much back to the community! You can always find your OCCRG's doing positive things in the community.

Least favorite Being out injured right now. Very difficult emotionally and physically for me. I hate that injury has to be a part of something so damn awesome!

Best moments on the track:  Again, so many great moments, it's difficult to pin point one moment. I always love it when we have a tight wall and are able to contain the opposing teams jammer, while ours is racking up the points, all the while holding that line and working together as a team. And of course having a spectacular block executed at the perfect time is always a proud moment. Moment that made me laugh the most...we were playing MIR and I went down with several of their skaters...I was sent to the sin bin and had lost my skate in the pile up. I had to skate on one foot all the way around the track to the box, I was almost there when I literally fell flat on my face into the suicide seats...difficult and embarrassing, I laughed the entire way there!

How long have you been away from the track? Too long already!
I blew my knee at practice on July 21st. We were working on hitting drills and I took a bad fall. It happened in slow motion I swear. I fell directly on the knee. I heard the tell-tale "pop pop pop crack crunch" and was instantly in horrifying pain. I completely ruptured my PCL and my MCL strained the ACL and dislocated my patella. I have an extremely high pain tolerance and I can say it has been awful. I went through 6+ weeks of physical therapy with no change in the ligaments. I had surgery on Sept 9th. I had the MCL reconstructed ("put back together") and the PCL replaced with a cadaver ligament, screws holding it into place (gross and kind of cool at the same time.) I am 10 days post op today. I can easily say, it has been the most difficult 10 days of my life (Blogger's Note: This conversation took place mid-September). Even more difficult than being on bed rest for 10 weeks in the hospital with my triplets! The pain is crazy. I have to remain straight legged for 3-4 weeks and cannot place any weight on it. Crutches suck! I will begin my PT this week. Very extensive from what I understand. I will not be on skates for a minimum of six months, I am told it will more than likely be closer to eight or nine for full recovery. Everyone is different, so I promise myself I will take it one day at a time.

Will you be back on the track for OCCRG? Of course I WILL! I love roller derby! It is a part of me now! It's in my blood, under my skin. Besides, I could die tomorrow...sure the risk of injury is there, but if I'm going down, I'm going down with a fight, doing something I LOVE TO DO! Besides, my daughters love TOXIC SUGAR too much...can't disappoint my biggest fans! Don't worry Sugar will be knockin' em down again soon.

As you can see, Old Capitol City's Toxic Sugar has experienced almost the entire panorama of what Derby has to offer, from the elation of a regained self-confidence and a feeling of strength to a vicious injury that has interrupted her time on the track doing the sport that she loves. She shows the dedication and the sacrifice that derby girls are willing to go through to play their game. 

As a player, Toxic Sugar is one of the major bullwarks of the lethal OCCRG defense and is one of the big reasons why they are in a position to break the single season win record in the state (Currently held by the undefeated 2010 Mid Iowa Rollers at 8). Off the track, Toxic Sugar continues to have her hands on the teams day-to-day operations, serving as league coordinator, doing numerous behind the scenes activities to ensure the smooth running of the OCCRG Team. 

As a veteran of Old Capitol City since the beginning, as a stellar pivot, as a woman who is bound and determined to return to her sport, and as a wonderful ambassador for the spot, it gives me great pleasure to introduce Toxic Sugar as the Iowa Roller Derby Diaries Cover Girl for October/November 2010.

To read more about Toxic Sugar's experiences with OCCRG and the derby world in general, read her blog.

Photo Credit: Emily Sherman Photography 

IRDD Covergirl for August/September: Sum Mo Payne of the Sioux City Roller Dames

Real Name: Melissa Dittberner
Derby Name: Sum Mo Payne
Team: Sioux City Roller Dames
Position: Triple Threat (Jammer/Blocker/Pivot)
Age: 28
Current Town: Gayville, South Dakota
Hometown: Madison, Nebraska
College: University of South Dakota- 3rd year (Substance Abuse Prevention Major)
Family: 2 Kids. Baylee,9 and Boone, 7. (Both are skaters)


Were you athletic growing up? I was a bit, I am really kinda short so my basketball career was limited, but I ran fast, so I thought track was pretty rad.

How did you get involved in Roller Derby? The founder of the Dames just happens to be my heterosexual lifemate. I believe she called me drunkenly and told me she was going to build a team, and I was just starting college and thought what the hell I am already changing my whole life might as well give it a shot and help her out...PS, thank you Liberty PBR Claeys for one of thee most positive changes I have made to date.

How has derby impacted your life? In so many ways, first and for most, I am able to give back to the community, this is the main reason I am involved. Roller derby has shown me who I really am, and by the way I am one tough cookie. I had no idea I could do so many things at one time. Planning special events. Coordinating bouts. Advertising. Scheduling practices. Sometimes being a derby counselor. coaching practice, making a tournament happen to name a few. I have a ton of responsibility in my league and I would never want to let anyone down so that thinking keeps me quiet motivated and I have learned to manage that stress in hip checks and shoulder blocks.

I broke my arm playing derby in 2009, this really showed my how much I love the sport, I was begging to bout in my cast. I don't know if I can say that roller derby saved my soul (as the song states) but it sure makes it happy.

What is your favorite aspect of Derby? I have met some of my favorite people through derby that I would have met no other way and cannot imagine my life now without them.

Least favorite The time I spend behind this damn computer organizing events

What are your goals for your team this season? My goals are huge and I know we can achieve them. The Dames plan on winning the Rolling Along the River tournament in October. The rest is a secret. We have an amazing group of girls this season. We have newbies with heart and soul and we have vets looking better then even and a list of new drills a mile long. Watch out for the Sioux City Roller Dames this season.

Sum Mo Payne of the Sioux City Roller Dames, is building a very formidable Derby resume. Sum Mo Payne, who is a triple threat on the oval, was named Sioux City's team MVP for 2010.

Yet it is the challenge coming up later this month that may be the biggest addition to her derby credentials. Later this month Sum Mo Payne will join with Sioux City teammates PBR and Dubs to skate across the state of South Dakota to raise awareness and money in the fight against MS. The Skate The State Facebook Page is located here.

I asked her about how the event came to be.

How did you ladies decide to do "Skate the State"?
Skating across a state was something a friend and I had talked about long ago. I waited for him to get it started as I was just to busy helping the Dames get rolling. After awhile I thought it was time to put some skates in motion for a good cause. In February,I started talking to the team about it and asking if people were interested. PBR was immediately in and Dubs was right behind her. After that the rest is all history. This event is going to be one for the books. I cannot tell you how humbling it has been to hear all the MS stories there are so many people that are effected by MS in one way or another. I am honored to skate for such a good cause.

Sum Mo Payne is the picture of strong athletics and strong womanhood that personifies the derby ideal. With that in mind, it is my honor to introduce Melissa "Sum Mo Payne" Dittberner as IRDD's Covergirl of the Month for August/September 2010.

IRDD Covergirl for July/August: Mizz LolliPopYa of the Mid Iowa Rollers

Real Name: Caroline Strait

Derby Name: Mizz LolliPopYa

Team: Mid Iowa Rollers

Position: Jammer/Occasional Blocker

Age: 24

Current Town: Des Moines

High School: Des Moines North

Family: Daughters Jazmine 4, Jaida 2

 

Were you athletic growing up?: I have been involved in some sort of sport since I was in Jr High. In High School I played volleyball, basketball and ran track. In college I played basketball. Now roller derby. I also play volleyball for fun.

 

How did you get involved in Roller Derby?: When I finished playing basketball, I was trying to find something to get into. Eastside kept bugging me to come to practice. I kinda blew her off at first, then I finally agreed to come (more just to satisfy her). Been there ever since!

 

How has derby impacted your life?: I could seriously write a 10 page article on this question!! Derby is not just a sport, it's a lifestyle. It not only fills my passion for sports, but I have never had the type of friends that I do from derby. They are the best group of girls I have ever known in my life! They are a second family. We are there for each other during the bad times and there with each other through the good ones. I have met so many people. I have a bunch of friends from different teams even. It is by far the best sport I have ever been involved in!

 

What is my favorite aspect of Derby?: I love the fact that derby is extremely competitive, but then when it's over, we're all friends. We can have the closest, most intense bout. But then, we all go out after and just have a good time. I've never seen that in any other sport. At least not to that extent.

 

Least favorite: If you have that many females around each other that much, there's bound to be some sort of drama! But we always get through it!

 

What are your goals for your team this season?: It seems like this year so many of my goals have been met! I am so proud of my team this season (and every season)! I think my biggest goal is to continue to move forward and improve. My overall goal is to play derby as long as I can skate!!

As one third of MIR's Power Trio of jammers (cTAL faTAL and Fanny Firestarter rounding it out) Mizz LolliPopYa has made key contributions to the offensive side of the coin. She has also provided her share of last minute heroics for the Mid Iowa Rollers, the last one being a final, clutch, 4 point jam that lifted MIR to a 129-126 squeaker over the CCRG Helldorados on June 10 at the U.S. Cellular Center. 

It is a great privilege to make her the face of IRDD for the next month. 

 

IRDD June Cover Girl of the Month: Des Moines Derby Dames' Neuro Sis

Real Name:  Kati
Derby Name: Neuro Sis
Team/League: Des Moines Derby Dames --D3!!
Position: Blocker/PivotAge
Age: 29 or younger ;-)
Current Town: Middle of Iowa
High School: Pleasantville High School, Pleasantville, Iowa (Go Trojans)
Family: Bub (Boyfriend) and Sons: Shane 15, J.J. 11, Hayden 9 (GO HAWKS!), and Brady 7. And my sister, Jessica, who is a HUGE derby fan!
Occupation: Administration

Were you athletic growing up?
Not really athletic, but a major tomboy. I played softball in elementary school and a bit of volleyball in high school...nothing varsity or anything like that.

How did you get involved in Derby?
A co-worker (Incendy Aarie from D3) was joining up and I thought it sounded fun!

How has Derby impacted your life?
Derby has totally impacted my life in so many ways! I have made some really close friends and met people that I wouldn't have had the opportunity to before. I realized that there was more than just work, kids, and home life out there; something important to so many people in so many different ways. I feel more like a woman that I ever have and have this HUGE derby family now. I love that Malay Bouaphakeo a.k.a Show Stopper) has brought this wonderful family/sport/experience/opportunity/passion/drive into my life and I don't know if I can ever thank her properly for it! I could go on and on about how great this is!

What is your favorite aspect about derby?
My favorite part about derby...there is too much! The team, the hits, the clothes, the notoriety, the fun, bruises, bouts, after bout parties, adrenaline rushes, inside jokes...almost everything!

What is your least favorite part about derby?
My LEAST favorite would have to be wall sits and planks! UGH!

What are your goals as a derby girl?
My goals for myself in derby are to continue to improve on all the skills (endurance, hitting, blocking) and then eventually become a good jammer (in a season or two!)

The First IRDD Covergirl: Neuro Sis of D3

This is Neuro Sis. She is a blocker for the Des Moines Derby Dames. For the Saturday Night Bout against Old Capital City, she decided to do some free advertising for the blog.

So thus, I am proud to announce that Neuro Sis is the first IRDD Cover Girl.

Congratulations you Neuro Sis, if you consider this an honor.