(23) Ohio Welcomes the Blue Ridge Rollergirls; Game Moved to Lausche Building
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05/08/2013 In Previews By Andrew Marron

(23) Ohio Welcomes the Blue Ridge Rollergirls; Game Moved to Lausche Building

This Saturday, the (23) Ohio Roller Girls welcome the Blue Ridge Rollergirls All-Stars from Asheville, North Carolina.  Also in action, Gang Green will lace their skates against Blue Ridge’s reserve squad, the French Broads.  Currently posting a record of 7-2 during their 2013 campaign, the Ohio Roller Girls are thankful to be back on their home track after playing three consecutive bouts on the road, two of which were against teams ranked ahead of them in the WFTDA standings.

After defeating higher ranked Steel City at home in early April, OHRG traveled 1,050 miles as they visited River City (Richmond, VA) and (13) Charm City (Baltimore, MD).  The Ohioans were victorious against River City, but lost by an even 100 points to Charm City after being tied at halftime.

This past weekend, Ohio upped their mileage again by traveling 836 miles to play the (12) Arch Rival Roller Girls (St. Louis, MO).  Missing key players Ava Tarr and Kill Basa, OHRG found it difficult to claim a road victory as they fell 108-179 this past weekend.  Bolstered by the return of Outa My Wayman as a full-time All Star player, the Ohio squad looks to get back to their winning ways this weekend as they welcome a team from Asheville, NC.

Having played bouts as an apprentice league since 2010, the Blue Ridge Rollergirls recently received their WFTDA charter in March 2012.  Blue Ridge enters their bout against Ohio with a record of 0-5.  While a losing record may be expected by a team that received their charter a year ago, Blue Ridge is playing quality opponents this season.  They started 2013 with a 126-186 loss to (40) Jacksonville (FL).  Blue Ridge then suffered defeats to (15) Atlanta (GA), (36) Omaha (NE), (33) No Coast (NE), and Gold Coast (FL).

Currently ranked #44 in the WFTDA, four of Blue Ridge’s five bouts this season have come against higher-ranked opponents.  More importantly, due to the WFTDA’s new ranking system, only the top 40 teams make up Division I for a shot at the post-season championship tournament.  Currently at #44, Blue Ridge has positioned themselves to move up in the rankings with good showings later this season.

Prior to the Ohio Roller Girls vs. Blue Ridge All-Stars bout, Gang Green will take on the French Broads.  Currently at 2-4, Ohio’s Gang Green will be looking to break a two game losing streak, much like the charter team.  Gang Green recently played Charm City’s Female Trouble to the wire in an exciting bout that featured seven lead changes.  Unfortunately, the final lead change went to Charm City with 3:30 remaining in the bout and a last second push by the Ohioans was just out of reach as they lost by 15 points.

Gang Green also traveled to St. Louis this past weekend and suffered a 70-272 loss to the St. Lunachix, one of the best reserve squads in the country.  Pearl Rogi has been a highlight for the squad over the past few bouts, awarded MVP jammer after their victory at River City and MVP blocker while in St. Louis.  Staples on the jammer line for Gang Green have been Bigg Rigg and Elektra Magneto, who both posted 100 point bouts against River City two weeks ago.

With the loss of Outa My Wayman, who recently graduated to a full-time Ohio All Star player, veteran blockers lead by Paige Bleed, Tactigal, and Texas Chainsaw Sasskicker will have to help bridge the gap. Look for new Gang Green faces, like Ally McSqueal, Shred Head, and Zinnia Zombie, as players move up the ranks.

The French Broads are currently 1-3 this season with a decisive 225-180 victory over Jacksonville’s River City Rat Pack to start their season.  Their losses have come against the Atlanta Rumble Bs (72-341), Richmond’s Mother Skate (91-317), and the Richland County Regulators (179-219).

IMPORTANT NOTE: the May 11 bout vs. Blue Ridge has been moved back to our regular location: the Lausche Building at the Ohio State Fairgrounds.  Gang Green will skate first at 5:00 p.m., followed by the OHRG All Stars.

Photos by Dorn Byg and Bob Dunnell.

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Andrew Marron