KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsRolling with the Minnesota RollerGirls

Rolling with the Minnesota RollerGirls

ST. PAUL, MN (KTTC-DT) -- If you haven't caught them in action, you're missing out.

The Minnesota Roller Girls are packing in the crowds; rolling up their sleeves; and they even played their first international match-up this past weekend.

If you thought roller derbies went out in the 70s, think again.

What has gotten a resurge in popularity is drawing normal-job-by-day girls - and transforming them into punk-ish, elbow-throwing skaters by night.

It's the coolest thing I've ever done, really," says Optimiss Crime.

Known at derbies as Optimiss Crime, Psycho Novia, and Killaman Jaro, all three ladies have ties to Rochester.

They're amateurs, but they mean business.

"I've never skated before and I thought, 'I can do that'," exclaims Psycho Novia.

THAT involves shoving, pushing, trying to score points; all on eight wheels.

"For me, it was a bona fide excuse to get physical," adds Killaman Jaro.

That's exactly what goes on during a bout - all to see which team's scorer can get around the track fastest to score points.

And, the Minnesota RollerGirls go international - they competed against Ontario's Hammer City RollerGirls on Saturday night.

Some of the rookies displayed their best game in a Cops vs. Robbers match.

It looks chaotic, and even with the formality of rules, it's not necessarily a lady-like sport.

But that's what draws this crowd to pack Roy Wilkens Auditorium.

"Girls beating each other up and racing around the track. I haven't seen nothing like that since the '70s," says one spectator.

The Minnesota RollerGirls are part of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association. The Minnesota league began in 2004 and now has 80 skaters and 8 referees and coaches.

While they're not paid, they are covered by insurance.

Want to see them? Click here.