January 8th: Quad City Rollers Mixer Featuring Four Iowa Teams

The RiverCenter is located here...

December 11: Mixer In Rock Island Featuring Cedar Rapids Rollergirls and the Old Capitol City Roller Girls

QCCA Center Is Located Here...


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OCCRG Releases 2011 Bout Schedule

The Old Capitol City Roller Girls released their 2011 schedule on their website. Of particular note is The Big Bout on August 11 vs. fellow WFTDA apprentices The Mid Iowa Rollers in Des Moines, which, in this bloggers opinion, is the most anticipated bout of the 2011 season.

Saturday Night: Old Capitol City Attempt To Gain Single Season Win Record Against Quad CIty Rollers River Bend Bombers

In July, after the Mid Iowa Roller wrapped up their perfect season at 8-0, I called them the best roller derby team that Iowa has produced so far in this new derby era. I stand by that statement. An undefeated record is an undefeated record.

But a scenario could be played out on Saturday that may cause debate within the Iowa Roller Derby community. While MIR is perfect on the season with eight wins, the Old Capitol City Roller Girls will attempt to seize the record for most wins in a single season (nine) should they defeat the Quad City Rollers: River Bend Bombers on Saturday night at the Monsters Brawl in Coralville on Saturday.

Regardless of the results of the bout, one thing everyone can agree on, whether you are a die hard MIR or a card carrying member of the Old Capitol City faithful, is that the MIR-OCCRG bout in 2011 will be a major clash of the titans.

The Coralville Marriott is located here...

Left 4 Deadwards' Recap of Saturday's OCCRG Bout Against CRRG

Here is the latest blog entry from Left 4 Deadwards, the great Jammer/Blocker for the 8-2 Old Capitol City Roller Girls. It is well worth your time to read. In fact, for me, this the best writing on derby from her that we have seen from her thus far. She is becoming an expert at making the sometimes confusing world of derby easy to understand. If the Derby News Network starts broadcasting games from Iowa, and there is no excuse for them not to, they would do well to tap Left 4 Deadwards.

Scene Report 10/23: OCRRG's Toxic Sugar on the Saturday Night Bout in Cedar Rapids

 OCCRG Blocker and IRDD Covergirl of the Month Toxic Sugar, still recuperating from knee surgery, submitted this report on the Old Capitol City Roller Girls' vulgar display of  power against the CRRG: Helldorados Saturday night. Toxic Sugar is the author of this piece. 

I think back to a year and a half ago, June 2009, when we first faced off with the women of CRRG, I remember being so nervous, so fresh, so new. It was our second bout ever and we didn't have much of a chance against the seasoned CRRG. We were still wet behind the ears at the game of derby, still trying to figure out the game.

Last night, we came with our game face on. Adrenaline pumped strong as we took the track. We came in strong and continued strong through the entire bout. We were ready to play hard and ready to prove ourselves in the corridor as a force to be reckoned with.

Old Capitol City Roller Girls took the track in Cedar Rapids against the Helldorados last night and came out with our eighth win of the 2010 season. (We stand at 8-2 with one bout to go in 2010.)

It was a night of high emotion, hard hits and amazing strategy from OCCRG. We have been working hard at playing smart, keeping our eyes open and staying focused, which showed in every aspect of the bout last night. We had solid walls, protected our line, and made sure we were quick to react when CRRG made their moves on the track.

Our ladies in the star panties all made jamming look easy as they weaved in, through and past the pack scoring point after point. Our defense was amazing. Accurate, well timed blocks held CRRG jammers back and assisted OCCRG jammers quickly through the pack. We knew where we needed to be and we executed.

The score at the half was 39 to 107 OCCRG. As we huddled in the locker room, we knew CRRG would bring it strong in the second half with a vengeance, and they proved us right. They came out hard hitting and ready, but OCCRG continued to dominate the track. Sticking faithfully to our strategy, playing smart and uniting as a team.

In the end, OCCRG took the win at 182 to 91.

A very proud victory for all of the Old Capitol City Roller Girls.

FINAL FROM CEDAR RAPIDS: Old Capitol City Pummels CRRG:Helldorados

FINAL FROM CEDAR RAPIDS: The Old Capitol City Roller Girls demolished the Cedar Rapids Rollergirls: Helldorados 186-95, Saturday Night at the U.S. Cellular Center.

The victory puts Old Capitol City's 2010 record at 8-2 and ties the undefeated Mid Iowa Rollers for the single season win record in the history of the young Iowa Roller Derby Scene. They can take the record with a victory over the Quad City Rollers in Coralville next Saturday night.

Three Iowa Teams Added To WFTDA Apprentiship Program.

This is old news from one of my hiatuses from the blog, but it bears repeating. The Womens Flat Track Derby Association has granted ten teams worldwide access into the WFTDA Apprentiship Program. Three of those ten teams are from Iowa. Granted admission into this program were the Mid Iowa Rollers, The Des Moines Derby Dames and the Old Capitol City Rollers.

For more information read here.

Leagues here in the Hawkeye State are beginning to move up in the world of derby. And you will know them by the trail of opposition blockers and jammers on the floor in their wake.

Old Capitol City Roller Girls On PATV's Talking With Yale Cohn

This has to be, without a doubt, the best media coverage that I have seen thus far of the Derby scene in Iowa thus far. The name of the show is Talking with Yale Cohn, which runs on PATV out of Iowa City. and, at just over a half-hour, the four derby girls from the Old Capitol City Roller Girls have plenty of time to talk about derby, the derby life, and the significance of the recent accomplishments of three Iowa roller derby teams being invited by WFTDA to be apprentice leagues. It helps that Cohn is a bona fide derby fan.

To all Iowa Derby fans, sit back and enjoy this. It is well worth your time.

Also notice that one of the participants in the roundtable is IRDD's own October/November Covergirl Toxic Sugar.

October 23: Cedar Rapids Double Header: Helldorados Vs. Old Capitol City, Bombshell Cartel vs. La Crosse

 

U.S. Cellular Center is located here...

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 

OCCRG's Triple D. Zaster Recap of Old Capitol City's Victory against Quad City

A great recap of the OCCRG-QCR Bout by Triple D. Zaster on the Old Capitol City Blog.

Quad City Rollers Profiled On QCOnline

Bill Mayeroff of qconline.com wrote a good piece on the Quad City Rollers. Also includes a brief summary of Saturday's Quad City-Old Capitol City bout.

FINAL FROM DAVENPORT: Quad City Falls To Old Capitol City in Season Opener.

The Old Capitol City Roller Girls knocked of the Quad City Rollers 148 to 93 in Davenport, Saturday night.

The win puts Old Capitol City at 7-2 for their season. It also introduces a very interesting potential scenario into the Iowa Roller Derby scene. As mentioned on this blog earlier, the Mid Iowa Rollers have the distinction of the only undefeated record thus far in the young history of the new Derby in the Hawkeye state, which they accomplished this season. Yet during this same 2011 season, with two games remaining on their schedule, Old Capitol City has the opportunity to capture the single season win record. Should they run out the schedule they will finish with 9 wins on the year in comparison to 8 wins that MIR put up in its undefeated season.

Shout out to IRDD's Des Moines Derby Dames Correspondent Neuro Sis for the score.  She informs me that Old Capitol City was buoyed by excellent defense by Bat-R-Up and Zom B. Blokr, while a string of penalties hampered the Quad City cause.

SATURDAY NIGHT DERBY: Quad City Rollers (0-0) vs. Quad City Rollers (6-2) Plus Fresh Meat Grinder

The RiverCenter is located here...

FINAL SCORE FROM CORALVILLE: Old Capitol City 141, La Crosse 133

Left 4 Deadwards scored an incredible 14 point last jam to rally the Old Capitol City Roller Girls past the La Crosse Skating Sirens, 141-133.

OCCRG's Triple D. Zaster wrote a bout recap on her blog.

IT'S BOUT NIGHT IN THE HAWKEYE STATE: 8/21 Preview

TONIGHT...

In Oskaloosa...After knocking off the CRRG: Bombshell Cartel, the Mahaska Mayhem (1-4) look to close out their inaugural season with another win. Facing them will be the brand new Eastern Iowa Outlaws (0-0) who will be looking to make a huge opening statement in the first bout of their first campaign.

In Coralville...After a couple of months of down time, the Old Capitol City Roller Girls (5-2) hit the oval again to continue their very successful 2011 run. Bat R. Up, Left 4 Deadwards, Toxic Sugar, Gladi8her and company will face the La Crosse Skating Sires.

In Lincoln, NE...Dubs, Sum Mo Payne, Funsize and the Sioux City Roller Dames (0-0) will venture into Nebraska's capital city to open their season against the No Coast Derby Girls: Road Warriors. Sioux City made a huge impression during the spring season, winning two of their last three games (the one loss being a near upset of Hawkeye state powerhouse the Mid Iowa Rollers).

Old Capitol City Roller Girls Pre-Bout Ticket Sales Party Tonight At Joe's Place in Iowa City

The Old Capitol City Roller Girls will be selling tickets to their Upcoming Bout against the La Crosse Skating Sirens in a Pre-Bout Ticket Sake Party tonight from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Joe's Place, 115 Iowa Ave. in Iowa City.

Tickets for the upcoming "Cirque Du Slam" bout are $10 dollars. OCCRG team photographer Emily Sherman will be on hand to take photos so fans are encouraged to come and get their photo taken with their favorite Derby girl for the teams fan page.



Joe's Place is located here...

August 21: Old Capitol City (5-2) Vs. La Crosse Skating Sirens in Coralville

The Coralville Marriot is located here...

Old Capitol City's Video Ad For Cirque Du Slam

August 21: Old Capitol City takes on La Crosse in Cirque Du Slam.