By Quinn Kropschot
Staff Writer
While many Costa students take part in school-related athletics, junior Caroline Millicent is an active member of the Beach Cities Roller Derby team. Millicent has been actively playing Roller Derby since March of 2012.
Roller Derby is a physical sport where two teams race each other around an indoor track. Each team has 10 skaters on the track that race for a 30-minute time period called a “jam.” The main player on each team is called the “jammer.” The jammer’s job is to race around the track as fast as possible and score points for their team with each lap. Millicent is the jammer for her team.
“Derby is a crazy adrenaline rush, Millicent said. “It is a fast-paced game that requires so much thinking and planning ahead before the round even starts.”
For each Derby practice, players are expected to report in full uniform. The usual outfit consists of elbow, knee and wrist pads, a mouth guard, a helmet, and skates. Once they are suited, the players prepare for their game.
“The uniforms are made up of spandex, fishnets, glitter, lycra, backseams and stretchy material,” Millicent said. “All of those are my favorite things.”
Millicent learned about Roller Derby by reading “Derby Girl,” a novel by Shauna Cross, watching videos about the female Los Angeles derby team, the LA Derby Dolls, on YouTube and by watching other leagues from around the world play.
“I watched documentaries about skating from England and New Zealand, and decided I wanted to get involved in the sport,” Millicent said.
Millicent believes derby is worth all the time and commitment. Millicent practices for two and a half hours on Sundays, as well as during the week. Her team, the Beach Cities Ladies team, also holds fundraisers, beach skates, and recruitment meetings. The money raised goes toward new uniforms, rink rentals, and tickets to see other matches. The team practices at Wilson Park in Torrance and at the Long Beach Roller Derby.
“Our league recently traveled to Prescott, Arizona for a game against a team called Hellazona,” Millicent said. “My team was very prepared, but we unfortunately lost”
According to Millicent’s friends, this outside sport is perfectly suited for her exuberant personality.
“I think it is a great fit for her,” junior Michaela Loudermilk said. “She is all about going out of the ordinary.”
According to Millicent, being a part of Roller Derby has allowed her to meet new and different people while being a part of the team.
“I love the culture, the community, the adventure and the people I have met through roller derby,” Millicent said.
Although Millicent has suffered many injuries from derby, including heat stroke, bruises and concussions, her love for the sport remains unfettered.
“The people and the experiences I’ve had are why I truly enjoy and love to spend my time skating,” Millicent said.
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