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Derby Divas

By Senior Airman Jose L. Hernandez, Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs / Published July 24, 2013

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MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Fishnet leggings, colorful skates, spandex, face paint and facetious names.

It's not the description of a Halloween costume, but rather that of a hardcore roller derby competitor.

While this full contact women's sport is a growing one in the Dakotas, it is one that some may have not had the opportunity to witness.

In the city of Minot, the Nodak Knockouts, part of the Mouse River Roller League, are a local roller derby team well on its way to popularity.

The team is comprised of members from the base and local community, including some from the surrounding areas.

Roller derby bouts are played on oval tracks, the approximate size of hockey rinks, and last approximately an hour.

Each team is allowed to have five members on the track per jam, and within that time frame, designated players called jammers score points by lapping opposing members.

Jammers can only score points after having lapped the entire opposing team once; afterward, they earn one point per opponent passed.

Teammates work together to prevent jammers from getting through using only the hips and shoulders. The use of hands, elbows, head and feet is prohibited. Like with any game, the devil is in the details, but the nature of the game often leads to fierce competitiveness and sometimes strenuous injuries.

Senior Airman Jessica Quinones, 5th Logistics Readiness Squadron and Nodak Knockouts team member, said the bruises are something she's used to now.

Having been on the team for two years now, she said she joined having minimal experience in skating. This was soon after her friend talked to her about the game.

The team was dedicated in teaching her everything from the ground up.

"We'll take the time to teach you how to skate and all the skills of the game," said Quinones.

The team is always recruiting players and hopes to expand the league to involve more in the community.

Senior Airman Jessica Watson, 69th Bomb Squadron aviation resource management journeyman and team member, said individuals should come to the bouts and practices to see how fun and intense roller derby can be.

"If people were able to see what it is really about they would realize what a great sport it is," said Watson.

Time and again, she has noticed the arousal of interest in the game by first-time attendees following the end of a bout.

For Watson, the game has become a form of adrenaline for her and she encourages it for any thrill seekers out there.

The team member's dramatic yet enticing uniforms are a definite steal of the show during games and have become a unique form of identity for the players.

A team member's uniform attire and nickname adds personality to each player as well as vibrancy to the athletic competitiveness of the sport.

The Nodak Knockouts are having their second home bout for the 2013 season at the Maysa Arena on July 27. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the bout will start at 7 p.m.

The team encourages any individuals interested in joining to contact them via Facebook at www.facebook.com/NodakKnockouts or e-mail them at info@mouseriverrollers.com.
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