Claire “Skelator” Zajaczkowski falls to the ground while she and Jamie “Oxford Comma” Roessner work on one-versus-one blocking in Apex, N.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Behind them, Allie Sandra “Razzberry Jam” Castillo, and Margaret “Furious George” Duffy, await their turn. They are a part of Carolina Roller Derby, a recreational derby league composed of players from around the Triangle.
Adam “Starshine” Weinbaum ties their shoes while other derby players practice warm-up laps in Apex, N.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. Carolina Roller Derby rents out Peak Auto Service and Repair, transforming the space from an empty garage to a safe space for players to practice their sport.
Deidre “Fanny Pack-A-Punch” Newport skates around during roller derby practice in Apex, N.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. “Fanny Pack-A-Punch” is one of the oldest members on the team and continues to return to the sport despite sustaining multiple injuries over the past decade.
Ashlyn “Ash Whoopin’” Clark, “Razzbery Jam”, Anna “Traumagotchi” Faiso and Alicia “Littlefoot” Fischer practices a three-versus-one drill during practice in Apex, N.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. “Littlefoot”, wearing a star cover on her helmet, acts as the Jammer and tries to get through the line of blockers.
Jess “Elastic” Rivera and Ashley “Beverly Crusher” Teatum sit in the middle of the rink on a water break, while “Razzberry Jam” and Meghan “Tyrannosaurus Hex” Roche stand and watch other players skate in Apex, N.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
Tonantzin “Tenacious T” Weathersbee, “Fanny Pack-a-Punch” and “Tyrannosaurus Hex” joke around while practicing a two-versus-one blocking move in Apex, N.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
Jen “Flexibull” Draughon fistbumps “Oxford Comma” during practice in Apex, N.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024.
The whole team chants together to end their practice in Apex, N.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024. They all yell out “pinkies in, buttholes out,” while slowly raising their pinkies up in the air.
Jennifer Tran is a senior from Charlotte, NC, majoring in Media and Journalism, with a minor in Asian Studies. She has experience in photography, videography, marketing, and social media. Jennifer hopes to pursue a career in marketing.
