Garnet Grit Betties seeking fresh meat, wider community support

When one imagines sports in Southeast Alaska, one might think of sport fishing, golf, basketball, or even baseball. Roller Derby might not be the first thing that comes to someone's mind, but it can be found in several towns across the panhandle.

There are the Ragnarok Rollers in Petersburg, the Sitka Sound Slayers, and Ketchikan has the Rainforest Rollers.

Wrangell, too, has a team. Wrangell's Garnet Grit Betties held a "fresh meat" event at the roller rink last Thursday afternoon, and are looking to increase public awareness and support of their team and roller derby in general.

"Early days we had 20, but right around now we're sitting at three," said Marsha McCay, whose derby name is IllumiNaughty. "So we're just trying to build the team right now."

McCay is going on three years with the Betties, she said, but also had a one-year break where she played for the Sitka Sound Slayers. She said that she got some good interest from people when she told them about the fresh meat event. As far as new team members went, she said that they were really looking for people who were going to be committed to show up and skate for the team.

"It's a lot of fun, but it does take a lot of time out of everyone's personal lives," McCay said.

The fresh meat intake was relatively simple. McCay would see how well potential prospects could skate, they would run through some drills, and she would give instructions on how best to fall and how to get back up without putting your fingers on the ground. Five people are required for a full roller derby team, McCay said. Depending on how well the attempt at team-growing goes, she said that they could join up with Petersburg and Sitka to play with them or hold camps.

"Nothing is set in stone right yet, but hopefully in the future we should have something planned," she said.

There are plenty of reasons to join a roller derby team. Ola Richards "PolkaOlka", who plays for the Ragnarök Rollers, said that it was a life changing experience for her. She joined Petersburg's team in 2015, she said. Thanks to roller derby she has become healthier, made lots of friends, and it has given her the chance to travel all over the state.

"And it feels so good to be part of something," Richards said. "Those women are like a family to me now. I know that if I have a problem they will be there for me and it just feels good to be loved and supported. I think any team sport is important and feels very similar, but derby is just special and fresh and just unique."

More information about Wrangell's roller derby team can be found on Facebook, under "Garnet Grit Betties."