Roller derby returns to Santa Rosa

Women’s roller derby barged its way into Santa Rosa on Saturday night with a bare-knuckle and fishnet-stocking brand of entertainment that drew about 250 people.

Careening around an indoor rink at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, local teams took on out-of-town rivals in a sweat-soaked, battle royale that satisfied young and old alike.

“It’s like a marriage between NASCAR and hockey,” said Kierston Travis, an organizer and blocker for the North Bay Bruisers. “It’s full contact.”

Fans were treated to two one-hour bouts filled with bone-crunching collisions, much pushing and shoving and fearless skating.

Jan and Neil Woodall traveled all the way from New Orleans to see their daughter, Kellie Woodall, 35, of Napa, compete on her team, Wine Country Home Wreckers, against a Hollister squad, Faultline Derby Devilz.

The daughter, who goes by the skating name of “Weezy Ana Slamma,” scored the go-ahead points as the clock ticked down.

“Go, Weezy, go!” Jan Woodal yelled from the sidelines.

She said her daughter has been on the Sonoma County-based team for two years and is one of the top “jammers” - the skaters who break from the pack and try to score points. She’s been hurt, though.

She was on the mend from a shattered wrist, the mother said.

“I’m nervous,” Jan Woodall said. “But I’m so proud of her.”

Teammates were dripping with enthusiasm, shouting encouragement from the bench as skaters rounded the rink in clumps, grappling with each other. They sported Spandex and face paint, their shirts emblazoned with nicknames like “Mae Dae” and “Country Bizcuts.”

Ermelinda Miramontes, a Santa Rosa probation officer who goes by “Ermalicious,” wiped her brow during a break as she looked at the score board. ?Her team bounced back from an early deficit, taking the lead, only to lose to Faultline by a thin margin in the final moments.

“We tried,” she said, flashing a white mouth guard as she smiled. “We fought as hard as we could.”

In the stands, fans waved signs and rooted for their favorites, hoisting barbecue sandwiches and pints of beer. Classic rock blared from loudspeakers.

Adam Greenbaum of Santa Rosa watched his friend, “Leethal,” bust through a line of beefy opponents, arms locked together, racking up more points.

He described roller derby as a real sport with “big hits like football.”

“Every time I come out there’s at least one teeth-rattling hit,” Greenbaum said.

Another fan, Troy Bribyl of Santa Rosa, said it was his first time seeing roller derby in person. He brought his girlfriend and their young kids. The scene was a throwback to an almost forgotten time, he said. “I watched this on TV in the 1970s,” he said with a chuckle.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.