Petersburg jammer "Dark Flow RideHer" and Wrangell blocker "Wreck-It Rach" embrace after being named most-valuable players after Saturday's bout. Winners received little roller derby figures crocheted by referee Dorothy Nagle.
In an epic bit of high fiving, the Garnet Grit Betties roll past the outstretched palms of spectators after their 214-151 win over the Ragnarök Rollers on Saturday night.
The players, referees and non-skating officials of the Ragnarök Rollers and Garnet Grit Betties pose for a group picture after Saturday's match. Though fast-paced, the bout was an injury-free one.
Garnet Grit Betties player "Cynistar" blocks Ragnarök Rollers jammer "Lewdafrisk" during the jam.
Local roller derby girls with the Garnet Grit Betties bouted with Petersburg's Ragnarök Rollers at the Wrangell High School gym Saturday night. Dubbed the Fall Brawl, the event filled the stands as around 260 spectators came to show their support.
The Betties started out strongly, picking up an early lead and building from there.
"We'd planned on playing a strong defensive game, and they did it well," said the team's coach, Shawna "Baby Cakes" Buness.
By the first half the Betties' jammers had picked up 121 points, while its defense held Petersburg back to 64. Despite making a comeback late in the game, the Rollers were unable to make up the difference. The game ended in a Wrangell win, 214 to 151.
"We have a good rivalry with Petersburg, so it's always awesome to come out for the win," said Buness.
Opposing teams got to vote for each other's most valuable players. For the Ragnarök Rollers, its MVPs were Angela "Dark Flow RideHer" Denning as jammer and Elizabeth "Taylor Made" Ray for blocking. Wrangell's MVP jammer for the bout was team captain Lizzy "Romane Event" Romane, and its top blocker was Rachel "Wreck-it Rach" Coblentz.
"It was really unexpected, and very exciting for my first bout," Coblentz said afterward.
A few of the Betties are new to the sport; jammer Andi "Stitches" Slusser only first started skating in September.
It was only Wrangell's second time hosting an official bout, and the win marked the team's first win of the season. The Betties had their first real season last year, skating in two bouts. This year is the first where they have had a full, regulation roster of skaters.
"A big thank you to Wrangell for coming out and showing support," said Buness. "We love it."
In addition to sponsor ticket-holders, 210 tickets were sold at the door. Fifteen percent of the proceeds went to support the Wrangell High School Booster Club, and a box was set up in the lobby to collect donations to the local Salvation Army food bank.
To cover travel expenses and rent venues, the team relies on local sponsors and dues, but also do a lot of fundraising throughout the year. A booth at the July 4 celebration and the team's Halloween haunted house were both successful events.
The team's next bout will be in February, when they meet the Rainforest Roller Girls in Ketchikan. Their next home game will be March 21, though an opponent has yet to be named.
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