November 2017 Skater of the Month

Tell us about your name
I used to go by Tankgrrrl. I changed it because I didn't feel like the name fit me anymore. I like to think that I've grown as a person and a skater, so the change just felt right. I was driving back from practice one night, listening to Lana Del Rey's album Born to Die, and the name just popped into my head.

What are your derby goals?
My goals are to be on a WFTDA charter team and play derby in another country.

Who/what inspires you on the track?
My skate mentors, TerribleTues and Michael, both put so much time and effort into teaching me, so I really just want to make them proud. When I started this whole derby thing, it took me weeks before I could even stand on my skates for more than a few seconds. As tiring as I know it was to watch, they never gave up on me. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
After tryouts earlier this year, I felt like a failure. My goal was to make it to the Wipeouts, but I honestly thought I was going to be booted from the subpool completely. Then I got the notice a few days later that I made my goal! I made Wipeout!! I was super jazzed about it, then, a week later, I broke my arm and couldn't skate. So it was a rocky start to the year, to say the least.

Since then, I have played in more games than I think I ever have before, made awesome and amazing friends, reached countless goals I had set for myself, and even played in a tournament on the other side of the country. I've played for several teams and leagues since I started skating and never have I felt more part of a team, or more at home, than with the Wipeouts.

LANA DEL DEATHRAY
#95

Photo by Down'n'Out Photography

March 2017 Skater of the Month

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

KAT VON REAP #607

Tell us about your name.
My nickname has always been Kat and I wanted to incorpoate part of my real name within my derby persona. I'm inspired by the tattoo artist Kat Von D and Reap comes from the Grimm Reaper.

What are your derby goals?
I'm primarily a jammer and I want to become more agile and powerful. I know I have a long way to go, but I'm willing to work! I see these awesome jammers with their fancy footwork, and I'm like "Okay! That's what I want to look like on the track on day!".

What inspires you on the track?
Every time I go to practice or watch a game, someone always does something that inspires me. It can be anywhere from someone getting their 27/5 for the first time to a seasoned skater nailing a crazy apex jump. Each time I see something like that, I'm thankful I got to witness it.

What is your favorite derby memory?
Last November, the Reseda Wreckers were playing against the Balboa Bandits. It was the last jam of the night, I was on the line, and the Wreckers were down by a couple of points. But my team held back the Bandits' jammer and I snuck through the pack -- we ended up winning by three points!! That was such an adrenaline rush since it was the Wreckers' first win as a new team

December 2016 Skater of the Month

HARDLEE ANN ANGEL
#9452

Who are you?
I'm a blocker!  I love the challenge of not allowing anyone to get by me. But now, I’m also a trainer, helping teach the Fresh Meat to skate and scrimmage, both the adults and juniors. 

Tell us about your name.
Appearances are deceiving. I'm always teased about looking quiet and sweet, but in reality my halo is held up by devil horns! 😈😈😈 My number represents my dad's birthdate who died of cancer but I know he's always with me when I'm skating. 

Who is your derby inspiration?
Moose always inspires me to be better. From the very beginning, her voice is a voice I could hear above all the others. She has been such a rock whenever I've needed support and encouragement. Moose knows exactly how much to push a person to reach their limits and she never lets you give up.

What’s your favorite derby memory?
My very first advanced scrimmage, I got teamed up with Saturday and Legs and —WOW! — the communication between those two!  They told me exactly where to go, what to do, when they were going to throw me into the jammer … all the while, I somehow managed to stay on my skates and keep up. It was such a great feeling of accomplishment and teamwork.  

July 2016 Skater of the Month

PhDIABLA #310

Tell us about your name.
I've loved skating since I was a kid, and my parents used to say that I looked like a "diabla" (devil) on wheels because I was pretty fearless, or perhaps reckless, on my skates. And the "PhD" part is motivation for finishing my dissertation -- who wants to change their derby name because they didn't graduate? Psshhh -- not this gal!

What’s your favorite derby position?
Blocking - hands (or forearms and elbows) down!

Who and what inspires you on the track?
In all things, I am driven by the desire to be better than I was yesterday! Nothing bums me out more than stagnation and complacency, so I am always looking for ways to improve my skills and to be a part of my team's improvement. Play hard, stay humble!

In life -- my parents. They've worked so hard to give me so many opportunities. I always work to be the best version of myself to make them proud. And my husband, who inspires me to keep trying different possibilities when something doesn't quite work out the way I'd hoped.

And in derby -- my teammates on the Like OMGs constantly motivate me by bringing 110% to the track. And I'm convinced Killo Kitty can accomplish anything she sets out to do; if she wants something that doesn't exist yet, she'll just go out and create it! My home team, the Balboa Bandits, inspire me to be better by believing and trusting in me as their captain, and they constantly remind me that derby is, above all things, fun! 

What is your favorite derby memory?
Traveling to New Orleans with the Like OMGs this past February. I got to share my favorite city with my teammates and we came home with two hard fought wins! Team bonding and great derby -- what more could I possibly ask for?

When you're not on the track, where can we find you? 
I'm a history buff, so you can find me in an archive, visiting historic sites, volunteering for the San Fernando Valley Historical Society, and occasionally at my desk and working on my dissertation. Otherwise, you can catch me reading or making some kind of ambitious travel plans.

Photo by Jon Cobb

Photo by Chuck Gay Photography

November 2015 Skater of the Month

DOVAHKILL
#1111

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

Hello, my name is Dovahkill and I'm addicted to roller derby.

Last year I spent most of my time on the disabled list sitting on the sidelines. I had surgery on my knee and it was kind of sucky. Instead of withdrawing myself from derby because I could not play, I immersed myself even deeper into the derby world!! There is so much to do and learn about this sport without even participating in the hitting aspect, but boy do I enjoy that part!! I started training fresh meat, juniors, and became Head NSO of the league. Once I was able to get back on skates, I had gained so much knowledge from training others and officiating every game, that I came back a smarter and stronger player.

Although surgery was unpleasant, I really appreciate what I learned in that recovery time and would never give that up. At times it can be tiring to have so many responsibilities, but I am so honored to be able to train juniors, fresh meat, and non-skating officials that I wouldn't have it any other way. When they tell me things like I'm their favorite or I inspire them in some way, my heart gets all fluttery. I couldn't do any of these things without all the amazingly strong, supportive, and inspirational women and men in this league. Nothing really compares to the feeling of knowing you have like 100 friends that would do just about anything for you.

I am Dovahkill and I am SFVRD!!!

August 2015 Skater of the Month

Photo by Matthew Becker Photography

SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL
#38

Tell us about your name.
I'm really not very clever or "punny" in general, so coming up with a good derby name was a little difficult. My first ever bout was just two weeks away (yeah, I know. Crazy), so I needed to pick something quick. Not sure how or why I came up with Saturday Night Special, but it grew on me. I like to think my derby name found me. 

What position do you like to play?
There's no better feeling than launching a jammer off the track and recycling her back over and over, knowing you're completely ruining her day. Okay, so maybe I'm a little twisted, but it works. 

What inspires you?
As corny as it may sound, my teammates and league mates inspire me, even the freshies. I want to be the best I can be not only for myself, but for my team,and my league. My success is their success, and vice versa. 

What is your favorite derby memory so far?
After playing derby for close to six years, I have many wonderful memories and experiences, but my fondest with SFV was our trip to Australia for The Bont Invitational. Because of SFV and the OMGs, I had the incredible opportunity to play roller derby in a beautiful far away land with some of my favorite people. It was a once in a life time experience I will cherish always.

March 2015 Skater of the Month

KILLO KITTY
#187

Photo by Tough Girls on Eight Wheels

As the President of SFV Roller Derby, Killo Kitty touches the lives of every adult and junior skater in our league, on and off the track. As our 2015 season gears up, we honor our fearless leader as March’s Skater of the Month. Here are just a few examples of how Killo has influenced our skaters:

“She’s who I look up to and want to be like when I grow up. I want to be as strong and unstoppable at everything I put my mind to. Thanks for changing my life Killo Kitty and giving us SFV Roller Derby.”

— Tomcat Cruz (skater, the Like OMGs)

“Killo Kitty is an inspiration. She is the first person to create an adult league out of a juniors league. She continues to amaze me and steal my heart on and off the track.”

— Razorslut (Co-Captain, the Like OMGs)

“Killo is an inspiring pioneer and her outlook reminds me that the only limitations we have in life are the ones we put on ourselves. She has truly changed my life and if I could be half the person Killo is, I’ll consider that an amazing accomplishment.”

— Little Earthquake (skater, the Fer Sures)

“She created this little place of joy for women, and has allowed it to grow and flourish. She tells you, ‘Hey, let’s do this because it’ll be awesome and fun!’ and it ALWAYS IS. And you feel awesome about yourself because of it.”

— Mimi Murderface (skater, the Like OMGs)

“Killo has done so much for me, I skated under her as a junior for 3 years and then as her teammate when I joined the Like OMGs. She has been an inspiration to me as an athlete, as a business woman, and as a person. Being able to skate with her has been a privilege and honor that has enabled me to succeed in my derby career. Without her influence, I would not be where I am today. Killo is the best.”

— Raebies (currently on Denver Roller Derby’s Mile High Club; formerly of the SFV Fast Times and the Like OMGs)

“She has literally altered the course of my daughter’s life, and so many other girls’ lives besides. How will they ever be able to accept mediocrity, complacency or defeat? She has created a league of extraordinary girls and women.”

— Agony Christie (Co-Captain, the Wipeouts; Mom to Danger Bird)

“Killo is a super duper good coach. She never gives up and she never lets you give up. She never lets you down.”

— Danger Bird (SFV Gnarlies)

January 2015 Skater of the Month

DETHBLOCK
#3

Photo by ConJobb Photos

Tell us about your name
I’m a bit of a metal head and one of my favorite bands is a cartoon band named Dethklok, from the show Metalocalypse. I wanted to pick somethin’ scary & intimidating. 

What’s your favorite derby position?
My favorite derby position is definitely a blocker! Working with my other blockers is extremely rewarding.

What inspires you on the track?
My biggest derby inspiration has to be all the strong, hard-working women I skate with in this league … INCLUDING our freshies! Watching the passion that this sport gives to so many is what keeps me falling in love with this whole experience.

What is your favorite derby memory?
One of my favorite memories has to be from one of our first games as a league in Tulare 2012. I was so nervous and scared when we lined up on the pivot line (cause THATS where we lined up in those days). Next to me was a sweet girl from the opposing team who turned to me and said “Hey, I really like your name!” I wanted to hide my nerves with some false confidence so my answer to her was “Thank you! But you’re not gonna like it in a minute.”

Any pre-bout rituals?
Usually relaxing most the day, making sure I eat a good breakfast and listening to loud inspirational metal. It gets me in game mode.