The leaves are falling, there's a chill in the air, and the skies have turned from blue to gray. And while much of Madison has hung up their running shoes and hunkered down, a group of dedicated, determined, and seriously kick-ass women have been getting up before the cows, working hard, and busting their bodies into peak physical condition to prepare for battle.
For the Dairyland Dolls, Madison's all-star flat-track roller derby team, summer isn't over yet. Because this Saturday, October 20, they're lacing up their skates and strapping on their pads for the final bout of the inter-league season. And they're ready to win.
Hand-picked from all four Mad Rollin' Dolls home teams, this fresh roster of farmers' daughters will Rocky Mountain Roller Girls after a long summer of fierce competition against some of the best teams in the country.
With a rotating roster, the Dairyland Dolls took on Austin and Tucson at home in June and July, then packed up their skates and trekked out to Columbus, Ohio in August to face Chicago's powerhouse the Windy City Rollers.
And while Madison's favorite milkmaids, ranked #9 in the country, didn't quite make it to nationals this year, they're ready to roll against Colorado.
"The Dairyland Dolls are hungry for a win against Denver," says team captain Colleen "Crackerjack" Bell. And she means it. We ladies in blue and white have been training for this bout since August, practicing three to four times per week -- sometimes at 8 a.m. on Sunday mornings.
Women's flat-track roller derby is the best thing since sliced cheese. With over 150 teams nationwide and more sprouting up daily, this sport is taking the world by storm; and if you haven't seen it, here's your chance. It'll be a night of fast-paced, in-your-face play that'll leave hearts pounding 'til the cows come home. So get there early, grab a beer, and snag a rink-side seat -- because you won't want to miss a second.
Doors open on bout night at 6:30 p.m. at Fast Forward Skate Center, 2629 Verona Rd., and the action starts at 7. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, and are available at Fast Forward Skate Center, Freedom/Knuckleheads, Capital City Tattoo, Cha Cha Beauty Parlor, Lakeside Press, the High Noon Saloon, and online.
A portion of the night's proceeds will go to OutReach, Greater Madison's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) community center. Halftime will keep the energy high with double-dutch and a drill team by the