DJ Bowman

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Naughty Pines Derby Dames

            Don’t let the skirts, shorts, roller skates and fun names fool you; these girls are tough.

            They change from their mild-mannered everyday personas to rough-and-tumble derby girls who skate a flat track with incredible skill and poise, all while being bashed around like they’re in a demolition derby.  On Aug. 28, the Naughty Pines Derby Dames skated against the Magic City Rollers of Billings, Montana.

            The Naughty Pines Derby Dames are a diverse group of women who call Laramie home, but are from all over the country.  The team started in 2009 and is the first all-female roller derby team in Wyoming.

            “The diversity of our team is ridiculous,” said Janet “Ogre” Chen who’s from West Los Angeles.  “We have girls from all walks of life: students, teachers, managers, food services; it’s really great.” 

            Chen has been with the group since its inception. 

            Veronica “Pickin’ Scabs” Stewarts, a new member of the group, is originally from St. Louis.  Last Saturday’s bout was only her third time with the team.

            “I think it’s awesome.  We have such a wide variety of girls,” she said. 

            According to their website, the Naughty Pines are a nonprofit organization that “not only strive to play roller derby, but enhance the local Laramie community.”

They aim to empower women through their competition, provide family friendly fun and support local charities.  Many of the girls join because there is a feeling of family in the group.

            “I joined the girls because there’s no discrimination and judgment,” Rebecca “Molly B damned” Corbiere said. Corbiere is a junior at the University of Wyoming.

            Amanda “Sweet D-Amanda” Priestley echoed Corbiere’s statement.

            “I love it because we don’t get judged.  Also, if you have a long day, you can just take it out on someone.” 

            Melissa “Burnadette Bombthreat” Johnson of Arizona used to participate in derby in Fort Collins, Colorado.  With her experience, she’s been pulling duty as the coach of the team, although she still skates during practices. 

            “It’s been amazing.  I saw a poster and thought I’d have to try out,” she said.  Johnson went on to say that although she doesn’t feel like she’s a great leader. Once she began to teach the girls some things she’d learned, she just went with it, she said. 

            The team practices three times a week for two hours, so for many of the girls, it feels like another job. 

            “Oh, this really is my third job,” said Johnson.

            “Oh yeah,” said Corbiere.  “I have derby, school and my job.”  She went on to say that although derby does take a lot of her time, she still manages to have time for a personal life.

For the Derby Dames, participating in roller derby is not only fun, but it’s a form of stress relief.

            “I liked hockey as a kid, but women can’t check.  Here, I get to knock girls down, it’s a great stress relief,” Corbiere said. 

            “Some people like chaos in different parts of their lives.  I like mine here,” said Chen. 

            Although the Naughty Pines lost their season finale Saturday, they still impressed their coach. 

            “The girls did fantastic, they played their hearts out,” Johnson said.  “I love these girls like my sisters.”

            The next event for the Naughty Pines is a Halloween party at 9 p.m., Oct. 31 at JJ’s bar.