The Manic Attackers sent a message with their resounding win against the Double Crossers earlier in the evening telling the reigning champs that their title has an uncertain future. With determination and steamrolling momentum on their side, the Manic Attackers looked to close out The Fury and leave the evening victorious.

The bout started with Kola Loka facing off against Zoe Trocious, pitting two incredibly talented jammers against each other. Zoe Trocious gained lead jammer thanks to superb skating skills and precision blocking from Mo Vengeance, Tamikaze, and Ruth Enasia. The Manic Attackers started the bout on top of The Fury 9-0. It wasn’t long before The Fury answered back and the bout was bubbling into a frothing cauldron of molten hot magma.

Rusty Razorskates made an excellent showing for The Fury and helped add depth to a thinning Fury jammer pool. Still leaning on veterans Kola Loka and Jackie Daniels, The Fury also employed KonichiWOW to jam, and the Ivy King Cup champs were still showing they have a right to stay on top.

Both teams were fighting tooth and nail on the track and gaining any real estate didn’t come without a high price. Bork Bork Bork, Lola Getz, Ying O’Fire and Rose Feratu were bruising and battering their way through the pack clearing lanes and making their presence felt. The Fury were answering back with sniping from T.S. Helliot, precision recycling from Mel Content, Yvette YourMaker and Take Out Box, and punishing blows from Janicide Joplin.

As the bout was drawing to a close, it looked like a run away win for The Fury, but The Manic Attackers’ Theivin’ Tyler scored an impressive 20 points to put her team to within eight points, closing a 42-14 gap. From there, The Fury kept the lead and leaned on every skater in the lineup to bring their skills to the table. It was an impressive win for The Fury with the score set at 66-52.

The Fury pulled a win out that was nothing short of spectacular. Trading blows with the Manic Attackers, it was the team with the most stamina at the end of the game that was taking the overall win for the evening home. Though the Manic Attackers were stacked with talent and tenacity, The Fury managed to pull their rookie and veteran talent together and made a point to show they aren’t done fighting yet.

 Huffington Post

Chicagoans Give Thanks: Politicians, Foodies, Bloggers And Artists Weigh In On The Holiday

With Thanksgiving now upon us, HuffPost Chicago wanted to take the opportunity to reach out to some of our favorite Chicagoans and find out some of the things they are giving thanks for this holiday.

Karmageddon, Windy City Roller All-Star: I am thankful for my chiropractor who puts me back together after every bout at the UIC Pavilion, and for roller derby, which allows me to eat an entire pie in 2 days without guilt! Thanksgiving, here I come!

Minerva Damage, Windy City Roller Hell's Belles: I am thankful for all my teammates who would not hesitate to knock the snot out of me on the track, and then hug me afterwards over some beers.

Read the article!

Bleacher Report

How to Follow the 2011 Roller Derby World Cup

For die-hard derby fans, it's no surprise that after a decade of progress, North America's fastest-growing sport has taken an international stage. Newer sports fans are being converted daily, as many think now is the perfect time for a World Cup, especially given the success of other action sports events like the X Games.

Read the article!

Gapers Block

Derby Teams Race for Cash at Chicago Invitational

While the Windy City Rollers and their colleagues in the Women's Flat Track Derby Association charge for tickets to see their events, the reality is that none of the competitors actually makes any money. The ticket sales and sponsorships go toward funding the operations of the teams, but derby folks compete for the love of the sport, not for money. However, last weekend's Chicago Invitational brought not only banked track derby to town, but also cash money for the teams that fared the best in the two-day tournament at the Odeum Expo Center.

Read the article!

The first half of the bout saw KCRW slowly picking their way forward in points. With neither team clearly grabbing a firm hold to the top spot, it was anyone’s guess as to how the first half would end. It was a tied game after jam 10, with Zoe Trocious scoring the 3 points to even the score. But the last 10 jams of the half saw WCR only capturing 4 additional points while KCRW pushed ahead, gaining 17 points, to end the half 42 to 29 (Kansas City).

The WCR All-Stars came into the second half with a renewed spirit and brought the fight back the Kansas City. Just as KCRW picked away at the points in the first half, the WCR All-Stars began to chip away at KCRW’s lead with each passing jam. In jam 9, while KCWR was busy attempting a star pass, Athena DeCrime grabbed lead jammer status and  pushed the All-Stars into the lead by getting WCR 4 points, ending the jam with a score 60-57 (WCR).

The All-Stars kept mounting their points and widening the gap as the second half pushed on. But their momentum came to a halt. With12 minutes left in the bout, the tide turned as the All-Stars gained no ground for 7 jams. It didn't help that the All-Stars could not keep themselves out of the penalty box, which included the expulsion of Jackie Daniels with 3 minutes left to the bout. KCRW took advantage of the frequency with which the All-Stars were being sent to the box by claiming lead jammer status jam after jam, clawing their way back into the top position.

With recurring trips to the penalty box, coupled with the repeated claim of lead jammer by KCRW, the All-stars could not gain their footing and lost their chance at the Hydra Trophy. With a final score of 112-95, Kansas City moves forward to face their next opponent tonight while WCR celebrates a top-notch final bout and the end of their 2011 season.

Even though this was a loss, the bout was a wonderful display of the level of tenacity that WCR plays at. It demonstrated why the Windy City Rollers are a top derby team. Varla Vendetta, Yvette YourMaker, Athena DeCrime, Jackie Daniels, Wreck N Shrew and Zoe Trocious all displayed some great jamming when they cleared the pack. It was not just their speed, but also agilely jumping the apex, juking around a seemingly solid wall, and even a display of a “crazy octopus” move (as the announcers called it) which helped the All-Stars rack up points and maintain a close score for most of the bout.

Even with their defense spending a lot of time in the box, WCR’s blocking powerhouse made KCRW fight for their win. Bork Bork Bork, Ol' Drrrty Go-Go, Sargentina, Tori Adore, Jackie Daniels, Hoosier Mama, Amy Nonamey, Georgia on Yer Behind, Deb Autry and the rest of the All-Star defense built tough walls for KCRW to breech and hit hard at every chance. Even with a single blocker on the track at times, it was never an easy pass for KCRW. With great game play and sportsmanship (Hoosier Mama embraced opponent skater Kelly Young after a jam) the All-Stars can return to Chicago still feeling like champions as they set their sights on their 2012 season!

Fox Chicago News

Chicago Roller Derby Boasts Tough Athletes 

When you think of Chicago's toughest athletes, you probably think Bears or Blackhawks, but don't forget about the Windy City Rollers! Some of Chicago's roller derby stars joined us to talk about a big match-up this weekend. The Roller Derby Bout against the Tampa Bay Derby Darlins is Saturday night at 6 p.m. at UIC Pavilion. Tickets are $20 in advance.

Watch the video!

Fox Chicago News

Fashion, Plants and Eccentric Art Top the Weekend: Time Out Chicago

Also on Saturday is the Monster Bash, the last season game for the Windy City Rollers women’s roller derby team. Watch them play the Tampa Derby Darlins before heading to Denver to compete in the national championship. The game starts at 6 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion. Tickets cost between $20 and $35.

Watch the video!

Medill Reports Chicago

Protein supplements boost strength but watch for sugar and carbs

On days that I don't work-out, I'll have around 80 grams of protein, and on really active days, I'll try to get 120 grams in,” she said. “I will do one hour of a martial arts class, then two hours of roller derby practice, along with weight training and boot camps on days I don't skate. I rarely have a workout that's less than 90 minutes in duration.

Read the article!

Time Out Chicago

Chicago does have a winning team 

Well, the Bears might suck, but Chicago does have one champion-quality team: The Windy City Rollers roller derby crew. The Rollers won the North-Central division for the third consecutive year this past weekend in Indianapolis, beating Minneapolis Minnesota’s Rollergirls 123-100. The champs earned themselves a spot at the national championships, which take place Nov 11–13 in Denver, Colorado.

Read the article!

Time Out Chicago

This Week in Chicago

The Windy City Rollers have been selected to compete during travel season. Squads are a little different; butt-kicking remains the same. This doubleheader features WCR Second Wind versus the Bleeding Heartland at 6pm, followed by WCR All-Stars against the Tampa Derby Darlings at 7:30pm.

Read the article!

Huffington Post

Windy City Rollers Monster Bash

Chicago's favorite women's roller derby team, the Windy City Rollers, are headed to Denver to compete in the national championship--but before they go, they're treating Chicagoans to a bone-crushing bout against the Tampa Derby Darlins. Hit up their pre-Halloween Monster Bash, where they'll be hosting a costume contest sure to bring out at least a handful of roller zombies.

Read the article!

CBS Chicago

Windy City Rollers Derby Team Headed To World Championships

For the third consecutive year, the Windy City Rollers women’s roller derby team will be heading to the world championships. At the tournament in Indianapolis Sunday, the Windy City Rollers defeated the Minnesota RollerGirls 123-100 to earn the No. 1 seed for the North Central region of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. The Rollers also maintain an undefeated record of 23-0.

Read the article!

Vimeo

The Windy City Rollers 

I think it’s a wonderful thing for young people to be doing. It’s because it helps build their bodies, mentally, physically, emotionally, and it gives them an outlet that’s far better than anything you can think of because they’re building positive images as a result.

Watch the video!

The Windy City Rollers battled their way out of the penalty box to secure the #1 seed in the North Central region and preserve an incredible 23-0 record. Minnesota took an early lead in the Regional final, but with some incredibly physical gameplay the Rollers struggled back to retake the lead. Those points came at a huge cost, however, as jammer Zoe Trocious was expelled from the game for gross misconduct and Windy City found themselves constantly cycling in and out of the penalty box. Despite a strong effort by Yvette YourMaker to close out the half, when the dust cleared the Minnesota RollerGirls led the Windy City Rollers 55-41.

The second half opened with stutters and starts, with both teams trading a number of low-point jams, but with 25 minutes remaining Jackie Daniels coupled a heroic effort with a locked-in group of blockers for a tide-turning run to put Windy City up 69-56. Just a few jams later the crowd held its breath as Varla granted Minnesota with a power jam opportunity, but a crucial hit by Yvette YourMaker saved the day and Windy City's lead. From there, the Rollers were able to hold on to their lead, closing out the bout 123-100.

With their win, Windy City holds on to their undefeated record in the region and will head to the WFTDA Championships in November along with Gotham Girls Roller Derby, Philly Roller Girls, and Charm City Roller Girls in the East; Oly Rollers, Rocky Mountain Rollergirls, and Rose City Rollers in the West; Texas Rollergirls, Kansas City Roller Warriors, and Nashville Roller Girls from the South Centrals; and Minnesota RollerGirls and Naptown Roller Girls from the North Centrals.

The Naptown Roller Girls grabbed an early lead right from the start and staked their claim for most of the night. With the lead exchanging back and forth, and the half seeing Windy City down, the tension peaked as the teams left the track. Holding Windy City back was their mounting penalties and their repeated trips to the box. Windy City needed to come back and play a clean game to get back on track and reclaim the lead.

The second half proved similar to the first, as each team struggled to gain points and stay clear of penalties. The jams were short as jammers were calling of the jam after one pass, attempting to keep the other team from gaining any ground. With a little more than 5 minutes left in the bout the Windy City Rollers reclaimed the lead 120-117. Naptown kept the heat on Windy City's back through the end, but a power jam at the last left Jackie Daniels in full control of the game as she rode the seconds down, landing Windy City a victory at 128-117 at the last whistle blast.

The Windy City Rollers advance to Sunday night's final bout against the Minnesota RollerGirlsat 6:20pm central time.

Watch it live with the Windy City Rollers on Sunday, October 9^th at our viewing party at Fiesta Cantina in Wrigleyville, located at 3407 N. Clark Street, Chicago, starting at 3:20pm. If you can't make our viewing party, you can watch it live on wftda.com!

The Windy City Rollers took on the Arch Rival Roller Girls yesterday in Indianapolis, coming out victorious with a score of  200-82.With Windy City bringing a solid blocking defense, anchored by Jackie Daniels and crew, the Arch Rivals attempted to keep the heat on with some agile jamming throughout the bout. But a spirited Arch Rival squad was no match against the speed and strength of the top seeded Windy City Rollers. With the solid win, Windy City advances to Saturday night's marquee semifinal bout.

The last bout of the Friday night had Indianapolis's own home team the Naptown Roller Girls, ranked #4 in the north central region, up against the visiting  Cincinnati Rollergirls, ranked at #5.  While Cincinnati put on a charge early in the second half, they could not overcome an almost 50 point deficit at the start of the second period, and the penalty-filled game went the home team’s way, 166-113.

With last night's win, Naptown advances to the semifinal playoffs tonight to face the Windy City Rollers at 6:30pm central time. You can watch the action live at wftda.com!

At the end of the bout, WCR was behind the 8-ball and fell to a determined Kansas City team by a score of 111-92.  The UIC Pavilion transformed into the Terror Dome, where two teams would enter but only one would leave.

The first half was nothing short of a disaster for the WCR All-Stars.  Kansas City came out swinging from the onset and didn't let up.  KC jammer Kelley Young (skating under her real name) scored a grand slam in the opening jam.  It was immediately apparent to the WCR team and its fans that this #1 South Central regional team was here on serious business and looking for a win.

Athena DeCrime answered back with 10 points two jams later, gaining an early lead over Kansas City.  Ol' Drrrty Go-Go and Yvette YourMaker owned the front of the pack for the jam and made scoring rather easy for Athena DeCrime.  Penalties became an issue for both teams and the lead fluctuated back and forth during the first half.

There was nothing on the WCR bench that could stop KCRW from scoring at will in the first half.  Behind the speed and talent of Hall Balls and Kelley Young, KCRW was mounting a monstrous attack against WCR and had them rocked back on their heels.  As the penalties mounted for WCR, so did the points against them, and their chances for bouncing back hung in the wings somewhere between a miracle and raw talent.  As the whistle blew at the end of the first half, an unheard-of hush fell over the crowd as the score was set at 78-18.

With the start of the second half, an all-new WCR team came out of the locker room.  The bout turned into a barn-burner where jammers Jackie Daniels, Wreck N Shrew and Zoe Trocious took the fight back to Kansas City.  Sargentina stepped up her intensity and was landing hard hits alongside teammates Georgia on Yer Behind and Hoosier Mama.  WCR jammer, Varla Vendetta, was trading blows with KCRW jammers and adding to the physical presence of the team as the bout rolled on.

In the 6^th jam of the second half, Ol' Drrty Go-Go, Bork Bork Bork and Sargentina were zeroing in on the KCRW jammer, Case Closed, creating opportunities left and right on the track.  The blocking crew was making holes for jammer Varla Vendetta, who scored a much needed 15 points.  With just over 18 minutes left in the bout, WCR was closing the gap on Kansas City and the crowd was starting to erupt inside the UIC Pavilion.  In two jams, WCR scored 22 unanswered points and the score was set at 93-61 in favor of KCRW.

The intensity kept growing in favor of WCR and the entire venue was on fire.  Not only was the WCR bench swarming with activity, the fans were behind their team and helping the motivation develop at an alarming rate.  With only minutes left in the bout, WCR jammer Zoe Trocious took to the track against KCRW’s Track Rat in a deciding moment in the bout.  As the jam continued on, Zoe Trocious got lead jammer as Bork Bork Bork dropped Track Rat to the ground.  The building came alive and the crowd was ready to witness an explosive comeback by the WCR All-Stars.  The excitement grew as Track Rat was sent to the penalty box and a power jam started for Zoe Trocious and company.  At the end of the jam, Zoe Trocious has scored a much-needed 14 points and the score was 95-83, still in favor of Kansas City, but there was light at the end of the tunnel.

As the bout neared the end, both teams cranked up the intensity and it was an all-out foot race to the end.  It was a 10-point game at one point, and it looked like a miraculous comeback for WCR.

If it there were a moment in time where people should be biting their nails and pulling out their hair it was in this bout.  There wasn't a moment safe for blinking during the second half where WCR brought the game back to Kansas City and almost stole a win away from a gladiator of a flat track derby team.  The ladies in blue and white were holding hard with solid blocking and fancy navigation by their jammers, but KCRW kept the speed up, and the momentum shifted in their direction.  When the smoke cleared, WCR lost by a narrow margin, with the score set at 111-92. Though it was a loss, this bout was the best home game of the All-Star season hands down and there was no shortage of action from both sides of the scoreboard.

Bruz-Her from the Kansas City Roller Warriors won player of the game.

WCR faces off next against the Tampa Derby Darlins at UIC Pavilion on October 22.