Hoosier Mama: I've been able to grow and play many different positions through my derby career due to the push, drive, optimism and determination of myself and my teammates. Even if a player feels they cannot do well at a certain position, our captains and teammates will not accept that until they have pushed you in many different ways.

We have a highly talented group of girls on our league-- I like to pick things from them that I want to learn or do and try to master it or put my own twist on it. I've also always been in favor of players being able to play any position they are needed to play. [I was asked earlier this year why you don't jam for the All-Stars much any more... my response was just "Uh, you obviously have not been hit by Hoosier lately, have you?"] You just never know what can happen in one jam and if you need to change up your line-ups.

The Brawl of America will be your third trip to a Regional Championship tournament. How would you contrast this year with the previous years?

This sport is constantly growing. At any point you think you may be the greatest, but there will always be someone there to challenge that. I love playing other leagues! The athleticism and strategy never ceases to amaze me and the game just keeps getting more intense. The rules have definitely evolved as I've been playing, and if you aren't up to speed on them, and the way others are playing the game, you better expect to get your butt handed to ya!

Honestly, I just want to skate. I want to skate really hard for myself and I need to skate even harder for the girl that's next to me on the track counting on me.

The first BoA bout is against the Minnesota All-Stars, the tournament hosts. Last year WCR played them at Cicero to a 206-18 romp. What are your thoughts about the rematch?

I'm horrible at keeping up with what a lot of other teams are doing but the smartest thing to do is NEVER underestimate a team. And what happened a year ago can be nothing compared to what they can do this year. We are going to their house they are gonna bust their butts to protect their house, which means they are bringing it hard and I'm excited to see it-- maybe not so excited to feel it, heh.

If the WCR All-Stars win their opener, the team will either play St. Louis' Arch Rival All-Stars or the Cincinnati Rollergirls' Black Sheep, both teams that the All-Stars faced this year. Any thoughts about the possible semifinal matchups?

Both of these teams bring it hard. We'll definitely be discussing those games before we play-- and I'll just leave it at that. I do believe I still owe Sadie [Ed: Sadistic Sadie, Cincinnati speedster] a nice, good hit from ECE though...

Are there any other Brawl of America bouts that you're particularly looking forward to watching? Or bouts from the other three Regionals that you're excited to see?

I wish I could watch all of the games at Regionals-- I'll be watching as much as I can. I have derby friends on all the teams participating and there's a lot of talent and awesomeness that will shine!

As for the other tournaments-- I soooooo wish I could attend them all, but derby makes me poor! I would love to see some Philly vs Gotham action in person. That would be a very physical and smart bout. Or Charm vs Philly or Charm vs Gotham would be great. These 3 teams have very fast, fierce and smart players (not to discount any other leagues from the East, of course).

Any other thoughts about the upcoming tournament season?

I'm so excited to see what these leagues are bringing. Every year we learn something new from each other. I can't wait to see the speed, the hits and the strategy! And I can't wait to see my derby peeps! I love tourney time!!!