Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Roller Derby Saturday: New Season, New Players, a Dramatic Ending
Story: Sheri Zampelli
Saturday night's Los Angeles Derby Dolls bout was an unfolding series of unique derby experiences. Yes, there was the normal spectacle: Krissy Krash and Tara Armov taking skaters to the rail, jammers slipping through the pack and plenty of falls in the infield.
The announcers set a light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek tone and the DJ pumped out a high-energy soundtrack. However, this weekend's conclusion was so unusual that first-time attendees probably thought it was scripted for dramatic impact. Even a few seasoned fans and skaters were left scratching their heads, trying to piece the puzzle together.
In the second-to-the-last jam, the Fight Crew had three players in the penalty box. That left two Fight Crew blockers to defend the track against a pack of Tough Cookies. Laguna Beyatch scored nine points on that jam, most of them ghost points (points she would have recieved if the players who were in the penalty box had been on the track).
Support for LAist comes from
The regulation game ended in a tie, so the teams moved to sudden-death overtime. Because of the Tough Cookies penalties, Fight Crew's Judy Gloom was the only jammer with the ability to score. All that the Tough Cookie blockers could do was fiercely defend against Gloom's entry to the pack, which they did perfectly, so it was time for another sudden-death jam. This time, Fight Crew were the ones penalized, and Tough Cookies sent Laguna Beyatch to score four points for the 64-68 victory.
Beyatch, who credited her teammate's tenacity for the win said, "My blockers did such a good job those last two jams -- first by shutting out Tawdry to give us another chance to score -- and then secondly, by holding the pack together and slowing it down. When I got out in that last jam, I saw them slam on the brakes. I knew we were going to win at that point."
The new season brought several line-up changes for both teams. Former Fight Crew jammers Crystal Deth, Fighty Almighty and Jihad are no longer on the team. Former Siren, Haught Wheels, is the new Fight Crew co-captain, and Janis Choplin is their new captain. The Tough Cookies recently lost Axles of Evil to retirement and one of their highest-scoring jammers, Laura Palm-Her, moved to Oregon. Three new members of the Tough Cookies skated this bout: Stiv Skator, Stefcon1 and Skatum O'Neal.
On February 28th, the Varsity Brawlers will roll against the San Diego Derby Dolls at the Doll Factory.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist