She is very new to the CRG scene, but her smart play and aggressive jamming have earned her a spot on the All Stars and made her one of the most talked about Trauma Queens. She will make her Dorton debut tomorrow as the Trauma Queens take on the Tai Chi-tahs in the second bout of a hometeam doubleheader. Get to know CRG’s newest threat, Thrashley!
CRG: What brought you to the Carolina Rollergirls?
T: I’ve been playing derby for almost four years for Classic City Rollergirls in Athens, GA. My husband started a Masters program in Animation and Design at NCSU, so we moved to Raleigh and I transferred to the Carolina Rollergirls. I was super excited to move to a city with such an awesome roller derby league!
CRG: What is your favorite aspect of playing roller derby?
T: I love the crazy diversity of people I get to skate with. I love strategy and teamwork. And, I love being active and staying in shape.
CRG: What challenges have you faced balancing a personal life with the demanding schedule of roller derby?
T: I’m finishing my PhD, so its hard to stretch the mental energy to cover both derby and school. I guess that’s more my professional life though. My personal life is easy: roller derby makes me happy and that makes my husband and family happy.
CRG: Who is the biggest supporter in your life of you playing this sport?
T: Definitely my husband. But also all of the other ladies that play the sport with me. I have to give a shout out to Classic City Rollergirls here. That’s where I started, and I never would have played without the support from all the ladies there: Poke A. Dot, Rudy Huxtabrawl, Nell Bomb, Chimera, … the list could go on and on…
CRG: If you could change one thing about how you have trained for roller derby, what would you change?
T: The hardest thing for me is to remember to let myself make mistakes. I think if I spent more time learning from mistakes than beating myself up over them, I’d be a much better derby player! Also, having an unlimited amount of time to train couldn’t hurt.
CRG: What is your educational background?
T: I have an Undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies, a Masters in Ecology, and am working on finishing a PhD in Ecology.
CRG: Do you watch other sports?
T: Yes! I like football and basketball. And, I love the Olympics.
CRG: What hobbies do you have when you aren’t at the rink?
T: Unfortunately, I don’t have much time for my hobbies since graduate school plus derby is all-consuming, but I do play the piano. I really like to garden and cook too. Sometimes I knit, but I’m really terrible at it.
CRG: Is it more important to win or to give it your all and learn something?
T: Definitely give it your all and learn something. Winning is great (really great), but when I look back on bouts I’ve played in, some of my most favorite memories are from ones I’ve been on the losing team.
CRG: So you’ve got three free tickets you can give to anyone, living or dead, and they’ll come to the next bout.
T: Who do you invite? My mom, Ahmama (my grandmother), and my husband.
CRG: Tell us about your tattoos.
T: I may be the only rollergirl alive with zero tattoos. I love other peoples’ tattoos, but I don’t love needles!
CRG: Where have you traveled, and what place did you love the most?
T: I’ve traveled alot, mostly for work. For the last few years I’ve been spending three or four months a year in Montana near Glacier National Park where I do field research. My three most memorable trips have been to Spain as an exchange student, to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands where my husband and I were married, and to Alaska for a couple of weeks with friends camping after a work conference in Anchorage.
CRG: What is the one house chore you hate to do?
T: I’m kind of obsessive about cleaning (anybody that’s lived with me would probably say its a little more than “kind of”). When I’m stressed I clean the house. The only chore I don’t like doing is the dishes.
CRG: Do you have any pets?
T: Yes. Three crazy dogs: Madison, Sophie, and Sally.
CRG: Have you had any major injuries because of roller derby?
T: Nothing major. I did fracture my cheekbone during my first full season. I had a nice black eye for a few weeks!
CRG: What do you like the most about living in the Triangle area?
T: I just moved here, but so far the CAROLINA ROLLERGIRLS!!
Come cheer on the entire CRG league at Dorton Arena tomorrow as the Debutante Brawlers open against the Gold Coast Derby Grrls from Florida at 6pm, followed by the matchup between the Trauma Queens and the Tai Chi-tahs at 7:30pm. Doors open at 5:30 and tickets can be purchased at the door. $14 Adults/$7 Kids
Contributed by Hot Mess Express
she is an awesome teammate. you are very lucky to have her!
GO THRASHLY! We miss you down here in the Classic City. Take good care of my Poke! Kick ass!