If Vendetta is weaving in-and-out of human traffic and Jean Schwartz is breaking through the pack of blockers in her jean shorts, it can only mean one thing: the Durango Roller Girls roller derby team is back for another season.
After finishing fourth in last week’s tournament in Eagle, the Roller Girls hosted Albuquerque in Saturday night’s home opener in front of a packed hometown crowd at Chapman Hill Rink. It wasn’t just the home opener that made the night special, it was also one of the original Roller Girls’ final bouts.
Jen Pack, AKA Kim Jen Illin’, has been with the Roller Girls from the start and closed out her career in style Saturday night. The seasoned veteran was instrumental from start to finish, cruising through opponents like a speed skater as she led Durango to a 211-110 win.
“This team and this sport changed my life,” said an emotional Pack. “When we started, none of us could really skate. To see where it’s come and how the community has continued to support us has been special. I feel like this team has brought on a rebirth of the Roller Girls, and I’m happy to leave with such a strong group to continue the tradition.”
Diehard fans might have noticed a reduced home schedule of three bouts, but rest assured, the Roller Girls and the sport of roller derby in Durango are as strong as ever.
“We just had some scheduling issues this season that made it tough to get more bouts at home,” Roller Girls head coach D-Bone said. “We had a lot of turnover this year. We’ve got doctors, artists, scientists and women from all walks of life, so for them to give the effort away from their normal careers is what keeps this thing so strong, and the crowd.”
Fans of all ages went bonkers as Kim Jen Illin and Mutha Stucka got Durango off to a huge lead. The smaller, quicker, feisty Roller Girls continued to speed through Albuquerque’s size and strength. Durango veteran Shotgun Shaheen led the way and the jammers followed her lead.
The end result was a blowout capped off by a flurry of points by Kim Jen Illin’ to close out her career before she was mobbed by her teammates. The win was certainly welcomed, but the opportunity to be a part of such a close group is supreme.
“I really can’t explain my feelings toward all this because it’s that special to me,” said third-year Rollergirl Celeste, AKA D’Cell Punk. “These girls are like my family, and I’m so excited to be back in from of our awesome home crowd.”
The Roller Girls will host a Roller Derby 101 session at 7 p.m. Monday for anyone with an interest in participating. With their June bout at Chapman Hill Rink canceled because of another scheduling conflict, Durango has only two more home bouts set for July 23 and August 27.
jfries@durangoherald.com
