Roller Derby

April 23, 2011, the Rose City Drum line kicks off the sibling rivalry between Portland and Seattle, located at the Memorial Coliseum.

The Rat City Roller girl's first team warms up around the track; the tournament consists of four games, or bouts, the one to collect the most points from all their teams takes the cake!

Referees blow the first whistle signaling the jam to take off; the jam consists of the blockers and pivot, who's job is to set up an open lane for the jammer, prevent the other team's jammer from getting through or both.

Bitter Rivals meet on the turf...

Photo #1

DRIVE! In preparation for one of the biggest lacrosse games of the year, Alison, center, rushes the goal and times her shot perfectly, as Drew, right, tries to block her shot. TUHS girl's varsity team plays Century, Monday, April 11. This bitter rivalry is sure to make for an intense game.

MAN ON! Alison, center, jukes out Drew, right, to take her shot on goal.

GOT BALL! Alison receives a pass from the goalie, and tries her hand at a quick stick, a difficult stick skill which requires constant repetition in order to perform it correctly.

CREASE ROLL! Melissa, right, and Adrianna, left center, practice crease rolling, an important skill for any offensive players that involves running around the goalie circle and shooting. Adrianna explains to Melissa one of two ways a player can crease rolls before she defends against her.

HELP! Adrianna, left, calls for her sister's help as Melissa, right, rolls successfully around the crease, giving her a perfect shot on goal.

GOAL! By the end of the night, Melissa found her rhythm. "I'm pretty excited to try rolling in the game. I know it'll be an important skill to have especially against Century. All I know is that if I can get past Adrianna, I can get past nearly any defender," said Melissa after practice.

BALL DOWN! Maddy, left center, charges after the ball as she causes a turn over against Century.

DRAW! Aly, center, aligns herself around the circle and marks her man in order to get ready for the draw, the equivalent of throwing the ball up to begin a basketball game.

GOAL SIDE! Melissa, back left, defends against a Century attacker in order to protect her goalie, Kayla, center back.

POINT, COVER POINT, THIRD MAN! The three low defending positions in order: Alison, left front, Adrianna, left middle, and Anna, left back, prepare for the next draw after a a scored goal by Tualatin.

GOOD GAME CENTURY! At the end of the game the score showed Tualatin 4, Century 15. "It was a tough game," says Rachel, Captain of Tualatin, "we held strong the second half by meeting them in goals. We'll see them again and I have no doubt we'll do better."

Walk a mile in my shoes...

A day filled with only using her left hand, Melissa brushes her teeth; a daily routine that proves to be a challenge.

Contemplating the challenge ahead of her, Melissa risks doing her homework entirely left handed.

A quick break from homework, Melissa gets into the rhythm of using her left hand, while eating.

Melissa passes one of many constant reminders strategically placed throughout her house.

"You know, I think today was pretty successful. I don't think many people realize how hard it is to do daily things with your weak hand," says Melissa as she proudly reflects on her day.

Winter won't stop us

"You gotta be explosive to be a softball player" shouts coach Chris encouraging his players.

Tierra, front, Caitlyn, middle, Abby, back left, start off the warm up drills showing their teammates how to properly 'get low'.

Precision is everything and Mak, blurred center, proves she has it down, throwing to Tierra, right.

Caitlyn, center, plays a little catch to perfect her form and strengthen her arm.

A fun relay to end practice, coach Chris tosses two balls out to the girls and Karly, who is anchoring her team, hustles to catch two balls at the same time.

The Decisive Moment

Process

Tiger Snooze