Blink and you might miss one of Blazin’ Ace’s lightening moves. As a jammer, she wows the crowd with her flamingo-footed passes on the inside line and rapid-fire cuts through the pack—but the seasoned Tornado Siren is also a working example of the league’s aim to “play smarter, not harder.” As Naptown’s Nov. 7 season opener draws near, the rocket-powered Tornado Siren talks about how she came to be a Naptown Roller Girl and what keeps her one.

Photo: Marc L.

How long have you been skating?
I strapped on my first pair of skates when I was 8 and skated every weekend till I was about 16. I picked up skating again when I tried out for NRG at the age of 28.

How did you hook up with the Naptown Roller Girls?
It was a twist of fate. A local radio station was promoting an upcoming bout, but I wasn’t able to attend. So I got on the NRG Web site and contacted Strawberry Jam the next day to let her know I was interested. As fate would have it, tryouts were in two days. The rest is history.

What drew you to this sport?
I freakin’ love to skate!

What have been some of the biggest changes you have seen in the league since you came onboard in the first season?
The biggest change I’ve seen has been in the management of the league. In the early days, it seemed like the league was run by a few skaters. Now every skater on the team has a job, and we are held accountable for our participation. It gives every skater a sense of ownership in the league and a sense of pride in being part of this unparalleled organization.

Do the new girls seem to be a different breed than that original crew?
Any woman who wants to give derby a try is of a different breed! I’m always so impressed with our Fresh Meat skaters. Their determination and desire to prove themselves inspires the rest of the team (rookies and vets) to skate faster, hit harder, play smarter.

What does it take to be good at this?
The ability to take a beating from your friends and not harbor ill feelings about it later! Other than that, it takes a lot of patience, drive, and confidence in yourself.

Is there one bout that you are really looking forward to this season?
I haven’t competed since June, so I’m counting the days till our first bout against Bloomington! What more can you ask for in derby than two in-state teams that have trained and practiced their hearts out to see who is best on the flat track. It’s going to be exciting!