Double Crossers

Jammer of the Year: Julia Rosenwinkel

Pivot of the Year: Karmageddon

Blocker of the Year: Georgia On Yer Behind

Rookie of the Year: Sunshine N Painbows

Hell's Belles

Blocker of the Year: Mya Ssault

Jammer of the Year: Shocka Conduit

Pivot of the Year: Pominatrix

Rookie of the Year: Phoebe Fi Fo Fum

Manic Attackers

Jammer of the Year: Zoe Trocious

Pivot of the Year: Mo Vengeance

Blocker of the Year: Bork Bork Bork

Rookie of the Year: Thievin' Tyler

The Fury

Jammer of the Year: Kola Loka

Pivot of the Year: Jackie Daniels

Blocker of the Year: Yvette YourMaker/Sargentina/Ol' Drrrty Go-Go

Rookie of the Year: SpartaKris/Janicide Joplin

All-Stars

MVP of the Year: Jackie Daniels

Jammer of the Year: Varla Vendetta

Pivot of the Year: Hoosier Mama

Blocker of the Year: Bork Bork Bork

Second Wind

MVP of the Year: Ska Face

Jammer of the Year: Ska Face

Pivot of the Year: Mo Vegeance

Blocker of the Year: Tamikaze

Windy City League MVP of the Year: Jackie Daniels

Jammer of the Year: Ska Face

Pivot of the Year: Jackie Daniels

Blocker of the Year: Bork Bork Bork

Hammer Rookie of the Year: Sunshine N Painbows

Referee of the Year: Dr. Vroom

Stat Person of the Year: CleoSmackYa Jones

Support Staff of the Year: Roe DeLeon

Skulls and Crossbones Award: Tamikaze

Seltzer Commissioner: Jackie Daniels

Tequila Mockingbird: SpartaKris

Most Improved: Phoebe Fi Fo Fum

Most Intimidating: Yvette YourMaker

Sweetheart: Zombea Arthur

Golden Tickets: Sunshine N Painbows

Sexy Back: Norma Lee Wright

 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 Roller Derby World Cup, organized by Blood & Thunder magazine, will bring 13 teams of amateur skaters from around the world to compete for their respective nations. The inaugural 2011 event is being hosted by Toronto Roller Derby, and is being held December 1 through 4, at The Bunker at Downsview Park in Toronto,  Canada.

The international competition starts this Thursday at 4PM Central as the first 2 teams take to the track to begin the group play. Argentina (with WCRs own Sargentina) vies against Ireland at 5:20PM Central, followed by USA (with WCRs own Varla Vendetta) against New Zealand. Concluding the day’s game play at 8pm Central, Team USA battles itself in the USA vs USA expo bout.

World Cup action continues through Sunday with additional group play and elimination rounds, culminating with the closing celebration at 5:30 PM Central. Check out the schedule of events for more event information.

You can watch all the action live on DNN!

Don't want to watch the final day alone? Come down to our viewing party on Sunday, December 4, at 1:30PM at The Saloon Steakhouse. The Saloon Steakhouse is located at 200 East Chestnut Street in Chicago.

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!

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.

The WCR All-Stars came out firing from both barrels and never let up on the San Diego team.  Even as they mounted penalties landing their jammers and steadfast blockers in the penalty box, WCR wasn’t going to give San Diego any room to breathe.  The points margin was so incredibly large before the end of the first half, there was no real chance for a comeback in the cards for the Wildfires.

San Diego brought a physical game, but they couldn’t match the point scoring of Wreck N Shrew, Yvette YourMaker, Varla Vendetta, Athena DeCrime and Beth Amphetamine.  Scoring wasn't WCR’s only strong point for the evening.  Hoosier Mama, Sargentina, Norma Lee Wright and Georgia on Yer Behind were making small work of the hard-hitting San Diego defense.  It was an all-out battle in the first half with San Diego making it a point to target the WCR jammers, but little could be done to keep their scoring at bay.

Tori Adore and Karmageddon were making their presence known on the track as well, and with Mya Ssault being called up from the Second Wind there was nothing stopping the All-Stars from skating all over San Diego for the evening.  If scoring mercilessly were illegal, the Windy City Roller’s All-Stars would be serving consecutive life sentences.  Their blocking crew would be sent to the big house for aiding and abetting their jammers.  WCR’s speed, strength and intensity towered over San Diego in the first half giving them an insurmountable lead and spanning a one hundred point scoring gap.   As the whistle blew to end the half, WCR was up 113-13 over San Diego.

The WCR All-Stars didn't let up in the second half, and second-year skater Bork Bork Bork was paramount in helping not only keep the San Diego jammers at bay, but whipping WCR jammers into scoring and lead jammer positions.  To say each lady on the team pulled her weight is a terrible understatement.  From Yvette YourMaker scoring 23 points out of the gates in the second half, to Sargentina and Karmageddon recycling San Diego jammers, the night was full of strength and surprises.

Athena DeCrime, Varla Vendetta, Yvette YourMaker and Wreck N Shrew were scoring powerhouses in the second half, and as WCR went over the 200-point mark, there was no looking back for the merciless menaces in black.  These ladies had a routine and a team so tight you couldn't squeeze an inch of air through it.  With 13 minutes left in the bout, WCR jammer Beth Amphetamine went down after a pile-up before turn three and sustained a concussion.  The bout continued after she was helped to her feet by the medical staff and WCR maintained their intensity and attack, showing no mercy for a team clearly rocked back on their heels.

As the bout pressed on, WCR bench coach Nina Faile regaled the crowd and the visiting team with a solo saxophone rendition of George Michael’s “Careless Whisper.”  As she was being wrangled off the track, the crowd came to their feet and applauded her efforts to bring light to a serious tail kicking.  Every song from DJ Danger that came after the incident had an ‘80s ring to it and kept everyone in the pavilion pleased as WCR continued to open can after can of “Whoop Ass” on San Diego.

Birthday girl and WCR blocker Hoosier Mama played out the last jam and scored 9 points for her team before the final whistle was blown.  Fans of the Windy City Rollers went to a derby bout on Saturday and a scoring frenzy broke out.  The only thing bigger than the scoring gap is the immeasurable expanse of the universe.  Though there was no lack of fight on either side, the Windy City Rollers All-Stars came out on top with an insurmountable score of 255-22.  WCR goes on to play Kansas City on September 10^th at the UIC Pavilion.  Player of the game went to Wreck N Shrew who scored 60 points to help her team to their win.

The lead went back and forth in the first few jams, partially because of excellent jamming and blocking and partially because of early major penalties.  Zoe Trocious, Varla Vendetta and Beth Amphetamine were all in top form right from the beginning.  Steel City had a jamming clan that was impressive as well behind ‘snot rocket science, The Shocker and Hurricane Heather.

As the half continued, Steel City brought out some serious hitters like Athena and Bonecrusher to stave off the speed and agility of Zoe Trocious who was skating through the pack like a bolt of lightning.  Yvette YourMaker and Jackie Daniels were the snipers for WCR, pinpointing and taking out calculated targets.  Sargetnina and Hoosier Mama were making waves and destroying the beefed-up power potential of the Steel City team.

There were some massive blows traded on the track between both teams.  WCR’s Deb Autry took out Athena, allowing Varla Vendetta to score nine points in the 6th jam but not after Varla Vendetta was taken to the floor by Steel City’s Bonecrusher.  In the 9th jam, Damage Dahl laid an impressive hit on WCR’s Georgia on Yer Behind.    Both teams were working to prove they were mightier, but WCR came out on top at the end of the first half.  Ol Drrrty Go-Go was laying heavy hits on the Steel City jammer line, laying ‘snot rocket science out in the last jam of the half.  ODG’s hard hitting stopped ‘snot rocket science dead in her tracks and allowed Jackie Daniels to score two grand slams before the whistle.

It was a mashed up mess of twisted steel in the first half.  Steel City brought some serous poundage with them in the form of Bonecrusher, Athena and Damage Dahl and they really smashed the tar out of WCR but not before the ladies from Chicago took a scoring run from hell to them.  All things considered, the first half was a well matched, back-and-forth measured only by the hit-by-hit excitement and white-knuckle intensity brought by both teams.  WCR went to the locker rooms up 70-38.

Steel City came out in the second half with an apparent answer to WCR’s scoring and blocking.  Behind ‘snot rocket science and Hurricane Heather they were chipping away at the WCR lead.  Both teams wanted a win and neither side was relenting.  Norma Lee Wright made her presence felt in the second half taking The Shocker out in the 27th jam.  WCR was a recycling machine and ODG and Georgia on Yer Behind were at the head of that campaign.  Zoe Trocious still had the jets through the second half and kept the scoring going along with Beth Amphetamine, Varla Vendetta and Athena DeCrime.

Sargentina also jumped in on ecycling duty and was wrecking balls all night long.  Hoosier Mama was helping out and punishing the Steel City jammer pool from start to finish.  Towards the end of the bout, though, it turned ugly for WCR.  Continuous major penalties were slowing their scoring and allowing Steel City to mount some points behind The Shocker and ‘snot rocket science.  By the 35th jam, Steel City was down only by 20 points and quickly it was anyone’s game.

By the last two jams, Varla Vendetta and Jackie Daniels, behind the blocking of ODG and Hoosier Mama, were able to get WCR the win and took Steel City out with a score of 147-117.  WCR was in danger of losing the bout towards the end, but teamwork and solid strategy calm helped them claim victory.  Steel City didn’t go down without a fight, though, and their ‘never say die’ attitude kept them close through the end.   Varla Vendetta was awarded Player of the Game for the Windy City Rollers All-Stars.  WCR takes on the San Diego Derby Dolls on August 27th at the UIC Pavilion.

WBEZ91.5

The Weekly Guide: Skating around town with the Windy City Rollers

Tamiko Saame and Alisa DePedro are two players from the Windy City Rollers. To fans of the sport, it's "Tamikazi" and "Sargentina." The crew will roll at Saturday’s game but first, they shared some other suggestions for how to have fun and maybe take one or two folks down too in the latest edition of the Weekly Guide.

Listen to the broadcast!  The lovely Sargentina pictured with Alison Cuddy below.

Morris Daily Herald

Bork Bork Bork an all-star roller

If you don't follow the national and local roller derby scene, that's a high compliment to a blocker by the name of Bork Bork Bork. She's a Morris native who has played for the Manic Attackers, a team out of the Chicago League, and is currently an all-star player for the Windy City Rollers travel team. It is just her second year of being involved with the roller derby circuit, but she has quickly risen in its ranks because of her toughness.

Read the article!

Morris native, Fannin has embraced roller derby

A couple of years ago Fannin, a graduate of DePaul University, the place she's currently employed, got involved in competitive roller derby in Chicago where she's made a name for herself.  She's played the position of blocker for the Manic Attackers and has become something of a sensation playing under the pseudonym of Bork Bork Bork. Since being drafted in Nov. 2009 by the Attackers, Fannin has improved her game to the point of making the traveling All-Star team in Chicago - the Windy City Rollers.

Read the article!

Double Crossers staked out Cruel Whip and Breaker Breaker.

The Fury initiated Beaux Dozer, Brooke Fly, Mimi MeOW, Lynn E.R. Aggression, and Rusty Razorskates.

Hell’s Belles seduced Minerva Damage and Eat My Schwartz.

Manic Attackers committed Katzen Jammer, Meanie Baby, and Outlaw.

Additionally, congratulations to the following All-Stars for taking the Travel Team Only status:

Beth Amphetamine (Manic Attackers)
Georgia on Yer Behind (Double Crossers)
Norma Lee Wright (Double Crossers)
Sargentina (The Fury)
Tori Adore (The Fury)

2012 will also bring newly-elected captains to the mix.  Your 2012 Home Team Captains are:

Double Crossers – Joanie Utah & Abbey
The Fury – Kola Loka & Poppy Spock
Hell’s Belles – Mya Ssault & Deb Autry
Manic Attackers – Mo Vengeance & Bork Bork Bork

2012 already looks to be a treat!

Both The Fury and Manic Attackers were ready for war from the get-go, but after the final whistle blew, The Fury won the bout and the Ivy King Cup with a score of 121-77.  Both teams wanted the win badly and it showed, but The Fury’s deep jammer pool and cohesive pack play lead to a solid victory and the league's longest win streak.

As the bout started, both teams came out swinging with stiff defense and incredible jammer combat that kept the score low and the action high.  Wreck N Shrew scored the first points for the Manic Attackers in the second jam, and then both teams cranked up the defense.  There wasn’t another point tallied until Ska Face came out against Zoe Trocious in the fifth jam.  Both girls were fighting like mad to make it through the pack and Zoe Trocious got lead jammer thanks to the hard hitting of Val Capone and Wreck N Shrew.  The score was 7-8 in favor of the Manic Attackers and then the floodgates opened.

The lead changed twice early on in the second half thanks to Kola Loka jamming hard for The Fury and Wreck N Shrew jamming for the Manic Attackers.  The scoring was intense, but the blocking was pivotal for both teams.  Amy Nonamey, Val Capone, Bork Bork Bork and Tamikaze were holding The Fury jammers hard, giving the Manic Attackers a chance to stay in the game.  Behind the defense of Ol Drrrty Go-Go, Red Zeppelin, Sargentina and T.S. Helliot, though, The Fury was able to keep the momentum on their side for the better part of the first half.

Sargentina laid a punishing hit to Zoe Trocious in the 8th jam, giving The Fury full swing on the Manic Attackers.  Val Capone and Jackie Daniels were trading blows throughout the first half too, creating holes for Yvette YourMaker, Ska Face and Kola Loka.  It was a non-stop hitting cavalcade before the whistle blew to end the first half and it looked like The Fury could run away with the lead early.  AliSin Chains, Ada Hatelace and Val Capone took matters into their own hands and created a huge scoring chance for Beth Amphetamine with just under ten minutes left in the half where she scored an impressive 14 points.

Both teams were rolling fast but that didn’t stop The Fury from keeping the lead and behind a couple of grand slams from Ska Face late in the half, they went into the locker room up 64-39 over the Manic Attackers.  The beginning of the half was a back-and-forth battle between both teams.  Hitting was the order of the day right from the get-go.  The score favored both sides of the scoreboard early on, but The Fury managed to pull away and mount a significant score as the half drew on, but not before the Manic Attackers could make their presence felt.

The second half saw no shortage of action from both sides.  With the Manic Attackers down, they threw it all on the line and the blocking power of Mo Vengance, Amy Nonamey, Bork Bork Bork and Tamikaze was being felt throughout.  There was a terrible collision between Amy Nonamey and Kola Loka; Amy went down hard and there was a stoppage in play.  As she recovered, the silent UIC Pavilion erupted in applause and the bout rolled on.

The entire second half was an ebb and flow of hits and scoring.  Carnage Wilson and Mel Content turned on the gas late in the bout to keep The Fury afloat, hitting Manic Attacker jammers Ruth Enasia and Zoe Trocious at will and making notice to the league and the fans that The Fury was ready to hoist the cup again.

The pack looked like a meat grinder and every point the jammers scored, they truly earned.  The Manic Attackers’ fan base came out in full force as well and kept the morale up behind their bench for the rest of the half.  With just under ten minutes to go in the bout and the score set at 109-58 in favor of The Fury, both teams were standing behind their blockers to keep the action going.  Bork Bork Bork and Val Capone were menacing The Fury jammers and Sonya MouthShut alongside Sargentina and Mel Content were holding Manic Attackers jammers at bay.

Take Out Box jammed for The Fury late in the bout and tallied six points for her team over two jams.  The Manic Attackers weren’t going down without a fight, and in the waning minutes of the bout Zoe Trocious and Wreck N Shrew were still mounting an impressive amount of points.  As the final whistle blew, though, it wasn’t enough to get the Manic Attackers a win and they fell to The Fury 121-77.  Both teams gave their all, but The Fury showed their depth and determination to get the longest winning streak in the league and the Ivy King Cup for a second year in a row.  Ska Face was named Player of the Game for The Fury and Val Capone was given the Player of the Game title for the Manic Attackers.

As the season comes to a close, there’s much change and hope on the horizon for all four teams within the Windy City Rollers.  Next season will hold so many possibilities it’s almost incomprehensible...it will truly be anyone’s year. Congratulations to the players and coaches on all the home teams and we all look forward to next season.  And now, on to the All-Stars and Second Wind!