THE BASICS

What is your derby name? Dino-score

• What is the inspiration and story behind your derby name? I love dinosaurs and am a science educator who talks about paleontology a lot. When it came time to choose a name, I knew what I had to do. It was refined from “Dino-sore” to “Dino-score” this season with help from Patsy Clothesline, though!

What is your number? 65MYA because non-avian dinosaurs went extinct 65 million years ago. Guys, I can explain all this because I have a dinosaur pop-up book. Come learn!!

How did you get involved with roller derby? I watched some roller derby in Denver, Colorado and Bozeman, Montana, but finally got involved in Gainesville because my regular hobbies—hiking and skiing—were a little hard to come by down here in sunny Florida. I wanted some exercise and boy did I ever get it!

What is your pre-derby sports/skating background? I loved hiking up mountains and also sliding down them with boards strapped to my feet! Skiing helped me learn some basic derby moves like the plow stop. Other than that, I only skated at birthday parties when I was a kiddo.

You are part of the Training Committee and have been the team’s coach for several games this season. How has that changed your perspective of the game? Orchestrating roller derby takes so much effort and collaboration from so many people! The board, the bout coordinator, the Head NSO and NSOs, the refs, the Training Committee, and many other committees are all involved in making this sport a reality. I was amazed by that; thank you everyone for all you do!! Being the bench coach is teaching me about patience and timing. It can be challenging to manage that many people. I’m also learning about how and when to send out the players I need to!

BOUT TIME

What is your position of choice? I like to block!

What is your skate gear of choice? I love my Atom Jukes in a hardness of 93. I bought them after skating on Poisons and they totally changed my perspective on skating. I was like, “Oh wow! This is FUN!”

Do you have a pre-bout ritual? Frantically checking and re-checking my derby notebook which has the packs written down in it and the goals for that particular bout.

• What do you think about when you’re lacing up your skates? I haven’t been able to for a while, but when I would lace up my skates, I’d think about the things I needed to work on during warm-up.

How would you describe your derby playing style? Slow but steady.

• What is your signature move? Getting my butt in your way!

You were injured at the beginning of the season. When do we get to see you up and rolling again? Ugh, as soon as possible.  Hopefully I can begin skating again in June. I miss the wind through my hair and the litter of girls all around me as they crash against my bulk and fall to the floor.

NON-DERBY LIFE

What is your day job? And how, if at all, has it contributed to your experience of roller derby? I am an educator who is getting a master’s degree in science education. I’d like to think that my years of educating contribute to successfully teaching skaters on the track. I recognize that people have different ways of learning skills, so I try to incorporate that into training.

How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life? Everything becomes about derby. EVERYTHING. I think about derby when I’m driving places, when I’m at work, right before I go to bed, when I wake up…it’s crazy.

• How do you find a balance between your derby life and your “real” life? It’s been hard! Being on the Training Committee is like having another part time job. I can balance it by having nights when I don’t have my phone or check my email so I can hang out with my boyfriend or read Harry Potter.

What advice do you have for girls who want to join roller derby? This sport will eat your life and you can totally let it do that. You’ll find friends who will help you through challenges, you’ll be able to challenge yourself to do things you never thought possible, and you’ll be on skates!!

Do you have a special message to your fans? You’ll see me soon, just be patient!

Is there anyone that you’d like to thank? I’d like to thank my derby wife, Jewvenile Delinquent, for bringing me coffee and her unending love of going to the gym. Thanks to everyone who came and visited me in the hospital and at my house while I was recovering—the magazines, board game nights, and meals filled me with so much joy. I’d also like to thank Rage for being a wonderful source of support, derby knowledge, and happiness!