The number one roller derby team in the state and Laramie’s own Naughty Pines Derby Dames defeated Denver’s Wreckin’ Roller Rebels 235 to 113 in their first competition of the season.
Fans filled the Laramie Ice and Event Center on Saturday for the match, dubbed Wheels for Meals, decked out in green to represent the Naughty Pines. John Hohnholz, a regular during the season, sported a green pine tree painted on his face.
“I’ve been attending the bouts for three or four years,” said Hohnholz, who claims to be the team’s number one fan. His devotion to the team has earned him the nickname “Roots 4 Pines,”
Lidia Ridley, member of the Laramie team, has skated for the Naughty Pines since the team started in 2009.
“I’ve loved every minute of it,” Ridley said. “It’s been magical.”
As per derby custom, Ridley and her teammates are not identified during the bouts by their given names; instead, they create personalized derby names. Ridley is known as “Rida Cruel.” She said she loves having an alter ego because she can be whoever she wants to be on the rink.
Part of this alter ego is not just a different name, but also a changed attitude.
“I’ve talked to people outside of derby and they’re like, ‘She’s so sweet…until she gets her skates on,’” Ridley said with a giggle.
Another tradition unique to the sport is the provocative attire work by derby skaters. Decked out with team jerseys, booty shorts, ripped tights, and other flamboyant apparel, the Naughty Pines members put in a lot of effort to express their individuality.
“It’s good for a woman’s confidence to be able to wear what she wants,” Ridley explained.
The biggest strength, however, and what makes this team truly singular, is the strong friendships the girls have developed over the years.
Kaylie Winckler, or “Anthrax Annie,” is studying microbiology at University of Wyoming. She has been on the team for four and a half years and says they are “like a family.” While Winkler is scheduled to graduate in May she said she is hoping to stay in Laramie so she can stay with the team.
About half of the team’s members attend the university and the rest are Laramie locals.
Naughty Pines fan and Laramie local Brandie Mullan wore a green cowboy hat to the bout Saturday night. However, it was her enthusiastic clanking on a green cowbell that really caught attention.
Mullan first began attending the bouts because her sister is one of the Dames. But she also goes to the bouts because they are “really fun to watch.” Mullan said she hopes to follow in her sister’s footsteps someday and skate for the Naughty Pines.
That sister is Taña Sanchez, a six-year veteran of the Naughty Pines team and better known at the bouts as “Bipolar Roller.” That night she sported a black tutu over her green uniform, and black face paint.
It’s not just the players who dress the part. Coach of the Naughty Pines CJ Stewarts, or THCeej, wore a tux and suspenders to the event. Stewarts has been the team’s coach for six years. Taking a break during intermission, he said the team excels by working together and creating significant team cohesion.
“We’re a very close knit group who knows how to work together.”
Stewarts believes the biggest struggle for the team is communication.
“We all have our own lives, and we’re not a professional sports team,” he said, “so not everybody shows up to every practice.”
This was the first event of the season; it’s also good practice for the Wyoming Cup in June.
“That’s the pinnacle of what we’ve been working for – to bring home that trophy,” Stewarts said.
After winning their bout on Saturday, the skaters celebrated with pizza and liquor in the locker room.
The night also marked Tess Pridmore’s first bout.
“I felt really excited and good about [the match] tonight,” Pridmore, who goes by “Eat My Fairy Dust,” said. “I can’t wait to do it again.”
In preparation for the Wheels for Meals bout, Pridmore practiced with the team three days a week, cross-training, running and getting to know her teammates.
“We’re on the rise and we’re only going to get better from here,” she said confidently.
