Sometimes, a game is about more than just winning.
Though the Hard Knox Roller Girls, Knoxville’s roller derby team, lost to Asheville’s Blue Ridge Roller Girls in a 345-40 win on Saturday at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum, the team felt the win was not in vain.
“It was brutal,” Sarah Gosney, Hard Knox player and junior in English, said. “We knew they were going to be a tough team because all of their skaters are really agile and solid. Not only do they have mass, but they have agility and know how to use it.”
The Hard Knox Roller Girls endured rounds of physical brutality by the Blue Ridge Roller Girls, even falling a few times during the second half of the game.
Despite the falls, the girls still pushed through and played well for their last game of the season.
But what drives players to keep coming back and getting pummeled in the sport?
“I think it’s fantastic for girls and it’s just good exercise,” Erin Finsel, Hard Knox Roller player, said. “It’s just nice having that little persona.”
The punk, tough girl persona was born in Texas, where roller derby began. Finsel said the character that each player embodies helps with confidence and empowerment.
But outside the rink, the girls aren’t as mean as their persona names. The team is a non-profit organization, and supports groups such as The Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity.
Robin Lauderdale, fan and roller derby sponsor, was happy to support the team during the game. Since she met a team member through Facebook, she’s been attending games and helping players purchase equipment.
“It’s empowering for women. Just for them to get out there and be able to get back up — it’s great to see women being athletic,” Lauderdale said, wearing green jewelry and a matching top hat.
“They take that beating on-and-off for an hour. They do all this (community service). How many people would get out there and have their nose broken multiple times?”
“We have a really good team and one day, we’ll be as good as they are,” Gosney said.
During the off season, Gosney said the team will work on different strategies and rule sets to make a strong comeback in May, when the new season begins.
“We’re going to kick ass next year!” Gosney said.
