Interview with Shocka Conduit, WCR All-Stars
The WCR All-Stars will be participating in the 2009 North Central Regional Tournament, The Brawl of America, hosted by the Minnesota Rollergirls next weekend, September 18-20.
Loco Chanel: This is your second year both on the Windy City Rollers and as an All-Star... last year you were a breakout rookie to the team and this year you've become one of the most effective offensive players in the league. What do you most credit to your development?
Shocka Conduit: Hard work! I've had to step up my fitness and skill level many times over. But as important, I play with - which means practicing against - some of the best players in the country, the WCR All-Stars. Try getting around Megan Formor and Malice with Chains working together, or Ying O'Fire and Yvette Yourmaker. You either have to toughen up or give up. And I'm no quitter!
I've also had the good fortune to be coached and challenged by great captains, both on the home teams and on the travel team. And I never go easy on myself-- I think that's the only way you improve - you have to be honest about your playing, and look for the ways to build upon the strengths and eliminate the weaknesses.
The Brawl of America will be your second trip to the Regional Championships. How would you contrast this year with last year's?
Well, the structure and regional divisions are different, which changes the playing field immensely. Last year, all of our bouts were against teams that are now in the East: Charm, Carolina, and Gotham. While we've faced many the teams we'll potentially play in the past year and a half, “derby time” is short in terms of how quickly the playing field can change. You never know what any team is going to bring to the track on any given day, or any given jam.
Individually, the expectations for me are way different. Last year, as an unknown player in national derby, no one had any notions about me or how I would play. Now I'm less nervous and more experienced, but people also know more about me. That's a challenge for me as a player, but one that I think I'm up to. Excuse me, I'm gonna go lift some weights for a minute, take a quick jog…
OK, I’m back now.
First bout for the WCR All-Stars is on Friday afternoon against host Minnesota All-Stars. What are your thoughts about the rematch in their house?
I'm excited, because you want to know, as a player, how you match up against a team on their own turf and from what I understand, Minnesota has some really intense fans. I know that some of our fans will make the trip to Minneapolis/St. Paul, which psychologically makes a huge impact for me as a player. At the end of the day, though, you’re playing for yourself and your team. You have to have a collective will of steel.
If the WCR All-Stars win their opener against host Minnesota All-Stars, you'll either play St. Louis' Arch-Rival Roller Girls or the Cincinnati Rollergirls' Black Sheep. What are your thoughts about the possible semifinal match-ups?
Cincy and Arch Rival just played one another with their full 20 person charters in an unsanctioned bout, and Cincy won - by one point! If that says anything about how evenly matched these teams are we’re in for a challenge. Both teams have great jammers and some pretty sticky defense.
What other BoA bouts are you particularly looking forward to watching?
What other BoA bouts are you particularly looking forward to watching?
The semifinal bout in the opposing bracket! I'm also curious to see the opening round of bouts. I'm hearing a lot of buzz about North Star, and we recently scrimmaged Burning River after their bout against the Second Wind. These are both teams with a lot of drive and some great athletes.
WFTDA's Regional Championship tournaments are happening all across the country over this month. What matchups are you most excited for?
Well this is kind of hard without assuming who's going to win and when! For Easterns, the idea of a Charm - Philly rematch is pretty exciting. And of course I'm stoked to see that championship bout. [Ed: I asked Shocka these questions before last weekend's Eastern Regional tournament-- Philly beat Charm in the semis, and went on to upset 2008 National Champion Gotham Girls in the finals. You can check out archived text boutcasts of these bouts online at Derby News Network ]
As far as Westerns, I think that whole tourney is going to be fascinating, because there are so many awesome teams in the West right now, most of whom we've never played.
In the South Central region, I'm excited to see the Texas vs. Nashville bout. I admire Texas hugely, but as my friends on the WCR know, I've become a Nashville superfan this season after seeing them play in April. They've been tearing up the track regionally and I'm excited for them to take on the O.G.'s of modern roller derby!
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