April showers bring May flower and our April skater of the month! This month we are highlighting, Manic, #388. As a blocker on the track, she will surprise you with her powerful stop and off the track she is vital to DJRD as one of the founding members and a board trustee.
What made you start derby?
I try to pick a new hobby every Spring, I had seen Whip It so I googled roller derby in NJ. Went to a prax after work and was told to sit in the middle and watch. I thought it was just the coolest
What was the hardest part of passing your min skills test?
Getting out of my head; I had to go into it with the mindset that it was just practice and we were running these drills.
What was your first bout like?
Oh my gosh! I passed my test but didn’t make roster; a skater had car trouble and couldn’t make it out to Lancaster and in I went. It was all going on around me, skaters throwing me shorts and socks, duh – I had my skates in the car, someone was wearing a tank and she gave it to me and we used a gold marker to put a name on it – it was time to pick a name. It was a double header so I watched the first bout and just asked questions. I tend to get in my head and these girls weren’t going to let that happen. They voted, they agreed I should skate and skate I did. Once I made it through the first few jams I was good, right there yelling and strategizing with the rest of the team.
How long have you been playing derby?
I started skating 5 years ago then got hurt. I’m back skating a little over a year now.
What is your favorite part about derby?
Getting it. When after trying and trying you’re like “oh shoot! I got it – ya’ll see, I did it, you saw that right?” and then, you can do it again and again.
What is your least favorite part?
Endurance drills
What is your derby goal for the next year?
Strength. I want to be a power house.
What do you do for a living?
I’m a legal assistant
How old are you?
43
What are your interests outside of derby?
Reality TV is my weakness. Clothes and shoes and shopping – yep, i’m that girl. Really though, I’m collecting and writing recipes for an eventual cook book or three.
