(64) Ohio Kicks Off Season 14 with International Match Against (58) Toronto
Prepared both mentally and physically for a jam-packed schedule this year, Ohio Roller Derby will launch their fourteenth season on Saturday, March 23rd against familiar Canadian contenders (58) Toronto Roller Derby (Toronto, ON, CA).
Ohio will look to improve on their 4-0 record over the All-Stars, having bested them annually from 2012-2015 on home and away tracks as well as in tournament play. The two teams may potentially rematch more than once later in the season, as both have been accepted to the Put Up Your Toques and Midwest BrewHaHa tournaments in May and June.
Toronto put in steady work to climb the WFTDA rankings in 2018, ultimately going 12-0 and very narrowly missing a postseason invitation to the North America East Continental Cup. Retaining a large veteran squad, Toronto will try to build on their previous success, beginning with the trip to Columbus. In addition to stacking games over tournament weekends, they will also take on Boston Roller Derby and Royal City Roller Derby in April.
The inevitable rebuilding year last season brought new challenges and resulted in a 4-8 season, but ultimately helped set Ohio up for greater cohesion this year. When unable to achieve overwhelming victories, as against North Star Roller Derby, West Virginia Roller Derby, DC Rollergirls, and Garden State Rollergirls, OHRD fought to keep point margins narrow in single-game endeavors and focused on team development when tested by tough situations over tournament weekends. Despite all obstacles, Ohio still made an impression in the postseason following an extended invitation to NA East Continental Cup, falling to the Columbia Quad Squad by just 11 points in their first game.
While a handful of perennial A-team skaters opted to step back from sanctioned play, a majority of the 2018 charter roster has returned. Longtime veteran Amy Spears captains an experienced core that includes Pain Train, Birch Slap, Smash Panda, Kelsey Khaos, Bigg Rigg, Betty T. KayO, TactiGal, Vyles, BrussKnuckles, Belle A. Trix, and KloverKill. Chainsaw also returns to the roster after spending last season coaching. Six new but well-versed skaters round out the All Stars this year: second-year utility players Lara Del Rage and Jane, Literally; experienced rookie members Baby Kakes and Oxford Coma; and transfers Catch Mikachu (Angel City Derby) and No (Gem City Roller Derby).
Game Day Information
Doors will open to the public at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 23; the Ohio Roller Derby All Stars will take on the Toronto Roller Derby All-Stars A at 5 p.m., followed by Ohio Roller Derby Gang Green versus the Toronto Roller Derby All-Stars B around 7 p.m. Season passes, individual tickets, and group sales are available online through Friday, March 22nd. For more event information (venue, parking, etc.), please visit our upcoming games information. Arrive early to get the best seats in the house and don’t wait to order tickets—the season opener traditionally sells out, and you won’t want to miss a minute of the fast-paced action!
Photo by Katherine Seghers.
