The Ballad of the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls
26th October 2015
There’s a sport that’s not very well known to the masses. A sport that is fiercely empowering. A sport that leaves you with bruises and smiles. A sport where you have to be as hard, as tough, and as fast as you can be. A sport that spawns names like “The Alexorcist,” “Sandra Day O’Clobber,” and “Ho J Simpson.” That sport is roller derby.
At some level, roller derby is at least vaguely known. Its origins can be traced back to the 1930s, when it was basically a banked-track roller skating marathon. It has since evolved into an international woman-dominated, full-contact sport that’s even under consideration for the 2020 Olympics. It’s a wonderfully competitive, highly engaging, immensely empowering sport that is only growing in popularity.
Here in Denver, we have the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls, an all-women’s, flat-track roller derby league with three travel teams and four home teams that sport names like Dooms Daisies, Red Ridin’ Hoods, and United States Pummeling Service. Founded in 2004, the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls are a group of fiery, fearless athletes who truly kick ass.
Meghan Dougherty, also known as Undertaker’s Daughter, a team member of the Sugar Kill Gang, is one such badass. And we were just lucky enough to speak with her about this ridiculously awesome sport.