Skater of the Month: Newton’s Slaughter

How did you find out about roller derby?

Friends of my friends wanted to start a league when I was a freshmen in college, and I thought it sounded cool but I was too afraid of getting hurt! Then, the summer I graduated, I had a lot of free time on my hands. I had seen fliers for the Glass City Rollers in my favorite Toledo bars, and just thought, ‘What are you waiting for? You can be scared when you’re DEAD!’

What kind of skating skills or athletic abilities did you have before starting derby?

I got picked on a lot in grade school gym class, so I’ve always been more interested in solo, non-competitive sports like running, weightlifting, and roller-blading. Maybe that’s why I like jamming so much!

How did you derive your derby name?

Physics is my geeky guilty pleasure – and you can’t explain a good whip without citing Newton’s laws of motion!

What is your primary position?

Jammer! When I block, I love playing the 2 spot to a great pivot.

What is your greatest strength as a skater? What do you contribute most to the team?

I take feedback really well and I have a positive attitude that just won’t quit. This is a fun sport and if we’re not here to get better, then what are we here for?

What has been your greatest experience on the rink?

At my first exhibition bout, I passed the pack 4 times in a power jam – Coach Panda told me not to worry, that I didn’t have to get the unicorn at my very first bout.

What was your worst injury, and how did you earn it?

Nothing too terrible yet. Once I got hit in the eye, and it was all red and puffy, but later I realized that I had put hot pink eye-shadow on right before the game and it really wasn’t that bad.

Who’s your biggest fan?

My partner Romel! Sometimes I suspect that he only wanted to ask me out because I played roller derby!

Who do you like to partner up with on the track? Which teammates do you work well with?

I communicate really well with Bad Tempt-Her and my wonder twin, Maui Howlee. And Stevie Knickers always reminds me to “use the ass for good!”

What are you looking forward to most this season?

My goal this season is to roster for the Killabytes at least once – here’s hoping!

What do you contribute to SVRG *off* the track?

I am the Volunteer Coordinator on the Bout Production committee. I had major fun at the last bout putting everyone to work; everything went so smoothly! These girls really know their bout day tasks!

What’s the one piece of advice you would give women interested in playing roller derby?

Pinpoint one skill to work on each practice – just one goal. You’ll really feel your accomplishment if you can keep and achieve just one goal a day. Case-in-point, my first scrimmage, I had five major penalties. The next scrimmage, my goal was to significantly reduce this number. I was able to focus hard on the goal and I ended up with no majors at all!