DRD Spotlight - Thor's Slammer
Skate name: Thor's Slammer | Number: 9 | Skating since: 2018
What's your favourite derby memory?
My favourite derby memory is our recent Colliders game against Liverpool B. It was a difficult game for us and that made it all the sweeter when we came away with the win. Chanting “We are the DRD” after our win was a major high that I doubt I could recreate. 10/10!
What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your derby time?
The 27/5 was the bane of my existence for a solid year of my life. I cruised through most of my mins and got stuck on a few things, but nothing compared to getting stuck on my laps. I spent nearly six months getting 26 to 26 & ¾ week after week. I could run 10k’s, but I couldn’t nail the 27/5. In the end, it came down to my form. I wasn’t regulating my height or crossing over deep enough. Thankfully, Fanny, an ex-Granite City Roller Derby player showed me the error of my ways and I finally passed. I’ll be forever grateful to her.
Who is your derby hero?
Freight Train from Texas Roller Derby is my hero. Not only is she a derby powerhouse, she’s also a super funny and chill human being. Most jammers rely on finding space to move through the pack,but Freight Train will TAKE the space. She can truly wreck a pack and it's beautiful to watch. Also, her “Jammer Recruitment” videos have put a smile on my face over lockdown.
Most embarrassing moment in derby?
About two weeks after passing my minimum skills I went to a training scrim with the Bairn City Rollers. This was the first time I had ever played derby with a full complement of refs and NSO’s, so I was racking up the penalties. After completing one of the penalties, I went to skate off and my back wheels clipped the bench behind me. It flipped over into the poor NSO’s standing behind it. I felt so bad! My friends still tease me about staying away from benches.
Any other hobbies outside of roller derby?
When I’m not playing derby or running my 9 year old around to her different after-school activities, I’m usually playing Dungeons & Dragons with my husband and a few close friends. We have a regular Tuesday campaign and another campaign that runs most weekends, especially during lockdown. I’m currently playing an Eladrin Wizard in my Tuesday campaign and a Halfling Rogue in the weekend one. Nerdy, I know.
Where is your favourite place in the world?
I was born in a particularly boring bit of the United States surrounded by corn and soybean fields and as a result I could not wait to travel. Since leaving Minnesota at 18 I’ve travelled to many different countries and I can honestly say that Orkney is my absolute favourite place on earth. I love the history and the landscape. Scotland in general has so much history preserved, but Orkney is next level. I find the fact that I can go there and see viking graffiti carved into a neolithic burial chamber so incredible.
Who do you choose for next month's DRD spotlight and why?
I’d like to nominate Lizzy for next month's spotlight. She transferred to DRD a few months after I did, but thanks to lockdown I haven’t had much of a chance to get to know her.
