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Rough and Tough Appalachian Rollergirls to Host Derby Doubleheader in Boone Sunday

By Jessica Isaacs | jessica@highcountrypress.com

See the High Country’s own rough and tough Appalachian Rollergirls in action this weekend as they kick off the 2016 season with a home bout at Holmes Convocation Center on Sunday, May 1. If you’ve never been to a bout, you’re in for a surprise and a whole lot of fun!

This nonprofit, all-girl team of flat-track athletes works to promote community service and female empowerment year-round. They hit the road for a series of bouts against competing roller derby programs across the Southeast, and they host a handful of home bouts right here in Boone every year.

Up next, they’ll take on Virginia’s Dominion Derby Girls and the Palmetto State Rollergirls from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The doubleheader at Holmes will feature both ARG teams, the ARG All-Stars and the Boone Shiners. Doors will open at 1 p.m. and the first bout will begin at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Derby Doubleheader

As a blocker for the Boone Shiners, Su White (a.k.a. “Rainbow Rucker”) helps keep opposing teams’ jammers from scoring points on the track. When she’s not on the track, she’s working to promote the teams online. She’s been training with the ARG since October and looks forward to her big debut on Sunday.

“This will be my first official bout with an audience and everything. I’ve only done scrimmages before, and my mom and best friend from high school are coming,” she said. “For me, the 2016 season is really exciting because the Boone Shiners, the team I skate for, is skating a lot more bouts.”

She’s also looking forward to learning more from her senior teammates as the season continues.

“The All-Stars are bouting at a much higher level — they have some really exciting opponents,” said White. “I get to practice with these people who can skate at such a high level. Three of our skaters were on Team NC, and I get to reap the benefits of their experience every practice and watch all their bouts.”

Another new addition to the Boone Shiners roster, Savannah Herber (a blocker known as “Hit It and Quidditch“), will make her debut Sunday, too.

“What I look forward to in the May bout is having fun,” she said. “For this season, I look forward to improving greatly on my derby skills.”

Rollergirls-in-training, known as “fresh meat” to the teams, will be on the sidelines to show support and will show off what they’re learning in a half-time show on Sunday.

“I’m fresh meat and I am still learning how to derby,” said Emily Wentworth (a.k.a. “Doll Fin“). “I’m looking forward to watching everyone I have skated with play and see everything we do in practice on the track.”

Click here to get your tickets for Sunday’s bouts. It’s just $15 for adults and $10 with a valid ASU student ID (or $12 for adults and $8 for students if you order in advance), and free for kids 10 and under.

Check out ARG team rosters here and read more about the girls at appalachianrollergirls.com.

Follow these hard-hitting beauties on Facebook and stay tuned for more ARG news this summer.

The Holmes Center is located at 111 Rivers St. in Boone on the campus of Appalachian State University.

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Roller Derby