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Apr 26, 2008 5:00 pm US/Mountain
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Denver's Rollergirls Offer Rough & Tumble Fun
DENVER (CBS4) ―
The classic American sport of roller derby is making a comeback, there are now more than 150 teams nationwide, including one in Denver.
The "Rocky Mountain Rollergirls" call the Bladium Sports and Fitness Center in Denver's Stapleton neighborhood home.
The team is populated with police officers, bankers, sisters, mothers and daughters who go by names like "Madam Maim Ya," "Undertaker's Daughter," and "Catholic Cruel Girl."
"All of the names generally have something to do with violence but also a little bit feminine and fun," said Shandra Botello who goes by "Ho J Simpson."
"We like to have a good crowd, a good fun time so we try not to take ourselves too seriously," Botello said.
There are some differences between classic roller derby and the kind the Rollergirls play. They play on a flat track rather than a bowl.
No elbowing is allowed, but that's about the only thing that's off limits. Players have to learn how to fall before they hit the rink.
But the players are addicted.
"I came to try it out and didn't quite realize it's full contact roller derby," said Meghan Doughtery who goes by "Catholic Cruel Girl."
"The first couple of months there were a few broken bones. For as much as you see people falling down and flying around, it almost becomes addictive because you're getting strong, you're skating fast. It's all about hitting hard. It's very physical and people just eat it up like candy."
Video Extra
CBS4 sports anchor Vic Lombardi donned a football helmet in order to skate with the Roller Dolls in Denver last year. See a video clip in which "Tricky Vic" learns how to skate (and fall) with the girls.
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