Name: Tanya Naumann
Number: #7
Nickname: Taz Maniac
Teams: League: Tantrums, Bruise Crew, Black Widows
How long have you been skating? I went to Astro skate all the time as a kid. But once I got to middle school I found out it wasn't cool to be gay or roller skate... So I jumped back into the skater closet until I became interested in derby. I've been playing derby 2 1/2 years. Started with Little City Roller Girls in Johnson City, TN
How did you get your Derby name? My nick name has been Taz since high school. When I was a soccer player people used to say I looked like the Tasmanian devil, leaving carnage behind me! My mom actually said "why not add Maniac for derby?" I thought it was perfect.
What would your derby theme song or animal be? Well the animal part is easy ( Tasmanian Devil) and I'm not sure about theme song, but Omen by The Prodigy always gets me amped before a bout!!
Why did to decide to play roller derby? A personal trainer at my gym talked me into coming to a bout. He had been actively recruiting me, but all I could think about was girls in frilly skirts and couldn't imagine it would ever be for me. Also I hadn't skated in 25 years! But once I came out to watch, I feel in love with it and joined their fresh meat program the following weekend. It reminded me of football on skates, only better!
Pimp your gear: BONT skates with Sure-Grip Power Trac plates. Atom Jukes or RollerBones speed wheels and Pro-designed elbow and Knee pads.
What is your worst derby injury? Actually, Derby has been good to me. It's only my old injuries from Playing football that bother me.
And your favorite derby moment so far? Beating Nashville. That was a big win for the Tantrums and it was the first time I wasn't an alternate. It just made me truly feel like I contributed to that win. It was a great feeling!
What do you want your next step to be in derby? ATLANTA BOUND BABY!! I want to do everything in my power to help this team make it to championships this year!!!! (The 2012 WFTDA Championships will be hosted in Atlanta, GA. Only 12 teams go to the championships; the top 3 from each region.)
What advice would you give to women who want to play roller derby? If you didn't grow up in skates, then SKATE, SKATE, SKATE!! Get comfortable on those skates and the rest will follow! I'm still not there yet!! Also, be prepared for Derby to take over your life. It's more than a game. It almost becomes your religion, with it's own awesome subculture. Every Derby girl in the world becomes your family. Whether you like your family or not, you definitely love them!!
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