Name: Krush Groove
Nickname: Krush
Skater number: 103
Teams: Black Widows, Bruise Crew and Tantrums 

How long have you been skating?
I started skating and joined the Blue Ridge Roller Girls in Asheville, North Carolina in August of 2007 . In May of 2009 I moved to Carbondale, Illinois. Since there wasn't a league there, I began driving to Paducah, Kentucky to skate with the Radioactive City Roller Girls. I then started talking up derby with friends and posted a note on Facebook about creating a league in Carbondale. Word spread pretty quickly and a bunch of us began meeting at the rink to skate and figure out how we could make this all work. About a month later we had our first official practice and first league meeting and the Southern Illinois Roller Girls were born! I skated with So ILL and eventually started skating with our little sister league, the Cape Girardeau Roller Girls, until I moved here to skate with Tampa in August 2012. 

How did you get your Derby name?
I originally wanted to have the name Krushin Roulette, but that name was already taken. Since "Krush" is part of my first and last name combined, I wanted to keep that as a part of my derby name.  So, one day while I was at work, a RUN DMC song stuck in my head which made me think of the movie Krush Groove! I love 80's hip hop and it had "Krush" in the title so I went with it!

What would your derby theme song or spirit animal be?
Theme Song: Rock Lobster by the B52's
Spirit Animal: 'Merican Grey Wolf

Why did you decide to play roller derby?
I had just graduated from college and got a job in Asheville, NC. I grew up playing softball and marched in the drumline through high school and college, so I was super used to being a part of a team and having a busy schedule. I was kind of freaking out about moving to a new town and not knowing anyone there, so before I moved, I did some research about Asheville and came across the Blue Ride Roller Girls. To make things even better, their first bout was going to be the first weekend that I was in town!  With in the first few minutes that I was there, I knew that I HAD to play derby. I started trying to teach myself how to skate and read everything about derby that I could find and showed up at practice a few weeks later!

Pimp your gear:
Antik AR1's with Revenge plates and Reckless wheels, Bauer 9900 hockey helmet, 187 Pro Derby Knee pads

What is your worst derby injury?
I've had a few concussions and they are by far the worst injury ever.

And your favorite derby moment so far?
One of my most favorite derby moments is when the Southern Illinois Roller Girls played the Blue Ridge Roller Girls B team, the French Broads. It was really great to skate with SIRG against the league that taught me to skate. One of the best things about it, it was the first bout that SIRG won! I couldn't have been more proud of my league!

What do you want your next step to be in derby?
I want be the best skater that I can possibly be and to be an important asset to my team.  I've learned so much in the brief time I've been skating with Tampa and I love being surrounded with so many amazing skaters! Being here makes me push myself so much harder!

What advice would you give to women (can we say people instead of women?) who want to play roller derby?
Invest in a good helmet and good knee pads!

Derby Name: Down N Jersey
Nickname: Jersey
NSO position: Head NSO

How long have and in what capacity have you been Involved with derby?

I originally started skating with a small starter league in 2010. The end of 2011 I transferred to Tampa as a NSO and at the end of 2012 our officials voted me the Head NSO for the 2013 season.


How did you get your Derby name?

I originally started skating derby with a good friend of mine whom I also happened to work with her husband. At work, the guys would come up with all different variations of Jersey related nicknames, "Jersey Shore", "Jerseylicious" you name it. When introduced to my co-worker's wives, I was always introduced as "Jersey". So when starting my derby career the other skaters came up with their own variations of the name til one day one of the skaters yelled out "Down N Jersey!! You know, like down and dirty! Because New Jersey is dirty LMAO!!!!". I tried avoiding it but it stuck.

What would your derby theme song or animal be?

Theme song: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis - Can't Hold Us  /   Animal: Zebra of course!!

How did you get involved in roller derby?

I was at a holiday party and there was a girl challenging people to a skate-off. She later turned to me and said "You should do derby". That following week I started skating for the league she was with and between skating I would help NSO. Eventually I realized I enjoyed being a NSO so much more than I did skating so I decided to focus all my attention on being the best NSO I could.

Your favorite derby moment so far?

All of them! We have such an amazing league. I have enjoyed so many wonderful memories with them and have been fortunate to officiate next to some really talented people. Its so hard to name just one.

What do you think everyone should know about being a roller derby official?

You get out of it what you put into it. Being an official isn't just showing up to practice and blowing a whistle. Tampa's officiating staff spends nearly as much time training as our skaters do and that has only helped us improve individually as well as an important part of derby. We are always happy to welcome new officials regardless of your level of experience with derby. You will be trained!

What advice would you give to women who want to be involved (skating or officiating) in roller derby?

Practice, study, ask questions! Roller Derby is a growing sport and we are all growing with it. There is always a new aspect of derby to learn, so don't be afraid to ask about something you're unsure of. Set goals for yourself because there is always something new to strive towards. Have fun! Derby is a family. We may fight light brothers and sisters sometimes but, with out a doubt, there is no one I rather be on that track with. If you've ever wondered what its like to be part of a league, stop wondering. Come check it out!

Name: Apolo Ana
Nickname: Ana
Skater number: 3E8
Teams: Tampa Bay Bruise Crew, League team- TBA

How long have you been skating? I started skating/playing derby in 2010 when I was 15 with the Tampa Bay Derby Chicks. I skated with them for 3 seasons, I'm patiently awaiting my 18th birthday. This will be my first season as a part of Tampa Roller Derby, and I couldn't be more excited!

How did you get your Derby name?
My sister came up with it! Apolo Ohno has always been one of my favorite athletes and when I started derby with the juniors I earned a reputation for being a speedy skater.

What would your derby theme song or spirit animal be?
Song: Boys Wanna Be Her by Peaches

Why did you decide to play roller derby?
I'm part of the Whip It! generation. After I saw the movie I thought derby was pretty neat, but it wasn't until my best friend (ATilly DaHun) told me there was a junior league here in Tampa that I gave it any serious thought. Like just about everyone, I went to one practice and was hooked!

Pimp your gear: Riedell 595 boots with PowerDyne Reactor plates and Atom Juke Alloy wheels
Triple 8 helmet, Protech Dent mouthguard, and 187 pads

What is your worst derby injury? I've had nothing but minor scrapes and bruises so far (Knock on wood!)

And your favorite derby moment so far? I'd have to say making it onto Bruise Crew. It's my first season on the league and I'm so incredibly stoked to be a part of a travel team so soon! I can't wait to work with all these amazing ladies.

What do you want your next step to be in derby? I'm going to work my booty off to earn a spot on the Bruise Crew rosters (it's going to be super tough, there's so much talent on the team!) and hopefully make my way onto the Tantrums before I leave Tampa for college at the end of the season. I only applied to schools with nearby WFTDA leagues, so I'll be transferring to the league nearest whichever school I go to.

What advice would you give to women who want to play roller derby? Just do it! Don't be afraid! No one is born with skates on-- we all fall and none of us are pretty or graceful when we do. You just have to learn to laugh at yourself and get back up. You also have to be ready to work, work work! But never worry because roller derby is one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do!

This year TRD is proud to have provided sponsorship to an eclectic list of charities. From Labradors to veteran support to books for literacy,TRD has utilized the resources of its large membership to provide help for these organizations. In addition to charitable sponsorship, TRD has striven to make itself a known presence in Tampa Bay by appearance in several community events. Here is a monthly summary of this year's derby deeds.

February, TRD provided an information booth for the Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida at its pre-season Bruise Crew bout.

March, TRD collected clothing, toiletries, and other household items for The Spring which provides support to victims of domestic abuse.

April, TRD collected school supplies and toiletries for PACE of Pasco county which provides an educational center for girls.

May, TRD collected office and cleaning supplies for the Deaf and Hearing Connection of Tampa Bay's community center.

June, TRD collected books for Blue Bird Book's literacy program.

July, TRD provided an information booth at it's July bout for the Be The Match Foundation to sign up potential blood marrow donors.

August, TRD collected school supplies for the Kids Charity of Tampa Bay which provides school supplies to foster children in Hillsborough County.

September, TRD collected toiletries, clothing, and household linens for the Athena House which provides support for female veterans.

In addition, TRD also raised over $700 and several hundred pounds of food for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

TRD's 2012 community appearances included:

St.Pete Pride Parade 2012

Temple Terrace 2012 July 4th Parade

USF 2012 Children's Festival

And this month, TRD will be participating in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Habitat for Humanity!

This was a great year for Derby Deeds and next year is sure to bring more exciting news in community outreach, stay tuned!