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is widely credited with popularizing roller derby, marketing it as
amusement chock full of theatrics. Over the years, the sport has
turned away from the often scripted and rehearsed baloney
of the 1970s and 1980s and modernized into a genuine com-
petitive sport. Indeed, modern roller derby was even under
consideration as a sport for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Kelsey Clark of Gallatin Roller Derby joined the team
about six years ago after attending an open practice,
where she was impressed by the sport's rawness, its
camaraderie, and the high level of speed and sports-
manship she observed.
"I saw all of these skaters so strong and confident
and having fun," says Clark. "They were knocking each
other down, and enjoying themselves, and then help-
ing each other back up, and it seemed like an amazing
thing to be a part of."
Other players, such as Siina Swanson-MacLeay of Flathead Valley
Roller Derby, were first drawn to the sport—and continue to participate in
it—for similar reasons.
"I love the physicality of it," says Swanson-MacLeay, aka Illumi-
NAUGHTY. "It's not just a basic workout. Not something you could
get on a bike or in a class. And I've met the most interesting people
ever, homemakers, teachers, people who are lawyers, the coolest
people doing it. Travel, too. I like going to different places."
IN
MONTANA
OVER THE YEARS,
THE SPORT HAS TURNED AWAY
FROM THE OFTEN SCRIPTED AND
REHEARSED BALONEY OF THE 1970S
AND 1980S AND MODERNIZED INTO
A GENUINE COMPETITIVE SPORT.
CRAIG
SPANNRING
DWAYNE
McCLELLAN
