Well, it's been well over a year since I did one of these interviews. So sitting around here last night, I decided to give it another go. So I kind of flipped through my
Facebook page and came across someone who I actually had a few questions for.
And that would be Frida Beater of the WFTDA Nationals bound Rocky Mountain Rollergirls.
The two of us have traded emails and IM's in the past. Last year, I was part of her fantasy football league. I lost in the league championship game, but I honestly can't remember if I beat Frida to get to that championship game or if she beat me in the championship game. Either which way, a couple weeks ago she helped her team accomplish something far more tangible (and impressive) than any fantasy sport can provide when Rocky Mountain took 2nd place in the Western Regionals.
So without further ado, here are 10 questions with RMRG veteran Frida Beater...
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Elwood Bruise: What's your normal job away from roller derby?
Frida Beater: Police officer. OMG, it’s so much fun!
EB: How did you find out about roller derby and what possessed you to try out for Rocky Mountain?
FB: I was living in DC and saw that some girls posted on Craigslist wanting to start a league. I was on board until I moved to Denver and figured I’d contact RMRG. I speed skated as a teenager and played rugby in college, so I thought it was a perfect combo.
EB: Outside of racking up a bunch of points while jamming, what are some of your other responsibilities as a member of RMRG?
FB: I am co-captain of our travel team (5280 Fight Club), head of the training committee, and head of recruitment.
EB: Before the recent western regionals, what are some of your most memorable games you've played in and why?
FB: One of our best games was against Boston at ECE two years ago. We trained hard for that and we played really well. I think it was one of my best personal performances as well. Playing Gotham was a real eye-opener. We got spanked, but we learned so much strategy and it lit a fire under our butts. You know, I remember every game I’ve played with Fight Club so vividly. I remember details of every venue, players faces, and details of several jams. It’s weird.
EB: Name the 5 toughest opponents you've ever played against.
FB:1. DeRanged and Psycho Babble (RMRG). Honestly, they are the top two. I can’t even tell you how lucky I am not to play against them now. I know they get lumped together all the time, but they are amazing individually. Strength, speed, agility. They have it all.
2. Denise Lightning (AZRD). As a blocker. Holy smokes, she gave me a lot of trouble!! Her agility is absolutely amazing.
3. Urkin’ Jerkin’ (Ft. Collins, CO). She is Colorado’s little secret. Former world team speed skater and fast as hell. She can do everything. Unfortunately, she skates for an inexperienced team with a lot of turn-over, but she is a one-woman wrecking ball. If you ever get a chance to see her skate, take it!!
4. Dolly Rocket (Charm City): Smart, agile, and tough. Charm City would be hurting without her. I had so much fun skating against her, but she made me earn every point.
5. Megan Formor: (Windy City). Smart cookie with great recycling and strong blocking. She adds a lot to the Windy City roster.
EB: Honestly; what did you think the chances were of Rocky Mountain advancing onto Nationals this year before Derby on the Rocks?
FB: Oh, I knew we would. We have never trained so hard. We always had a lot of talent, but we never had everyone on the same page in terms of winning. The combination of our new transfers (Deranged, Ecko, and Psycho Babble), working so hard to host Regionals, and wanting to play DRD finally gave us the motivation to put in the blood sweat and tears to get there.
EB: What was it like getting to play the Denver Roller Dolls in the semi-finals of westerns?
FB: It would truly be hard to summarize or even attempt to describe in words. Hmm, without pissing off our PR person too much, I’ll say that we had been chomping at the bit to play that game like a prisoner before an annual conjugal visit. We thought about it almost obsessively. We literally dreamed about it. Poor Rose City had no idea that they were like the prison guard standing in the way of our prize. (Mad love to Rose City!). I heard that a former DRD player when asked if we would ever play each other, once said “there aren’t enough paramedics in all of Colorado for that game.” Yikes!
EB: As it was happening, what were you thinking when the fans stormed the track after the clock hit 0:00, yet the final jam of the game was still in progress?
FB: “ooooooh shiit!”
EB: What do you think it will take for Rocky Mountain to win the National Championship this year?
FB: We are going to have to set our minds to it. If we are all on the right page mentally, we definitely have the talent to take it. At the National level, it’s all a mental game.
EB: On a personal note, did my invite for your fantasy football league get lost in the email this year???
(lol)
FB: We had so few people last year that it was sort of lame. There have GOT to be more Fantasy Football fans out in the derby world. I think I can get She Who if we play next year. You work on getting some in the northwest.
EB: Thanks for taking the time to do this, Frida!!!