April Featured Skater: Sk8er Squirrel

Derby name: Sk8er Squirrel

Number: #93

Position(s): Jammer mostly, but I like playing all positions.

How long have you been playing derby?

This will be my 3rd season.

How did you get started playing derby?

I work at a museum that received a grant in 2023, which allowed us to start a fellowship program and work with a few local teachers over the summer to update and improve our educational materials and programs for school groups. One of the teachers we worked with that year was Leia Davis, also known as “Princess Sleia” in the roller derby community. While working together, we became friends. Once she learned that I was a competitive figure skater in my youth, she became determined to recruit me for LCRD. I didn’t really know what roller derby was, but it sounded like fun. I had been looking for motivation to exercise more and liked the idea of putting skates back on, even if they had wheels this time. I also wanted to expand my social circle. I am a workaholic, so I needed to find reasons to do things and hang out with people outside of work. I went to my first practice with Sleia that summer, had a blast, and haven’t looked back since. I wish I had known about this sport sooner!

What's your favorite thing about it?

All of it. I like the feeling of going fast on skates. The challenge of getting around the blockers or catching the jammer. Mostly, I just like skating with the group of friends I found on this team, and how we all build each other up and push each other to always do better.

How did you pick your derby name/number?

I actually tried to pick a different name at first, but early on, several people told me I was very squirrelly on track in unrelated instances. My whole life, I have often been compared to a squirrel; in fact, it had already become a bit of a nickname at work, so it made sense to carry that over to derby. The name found me. As for the number, 42, the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything was already taken. So I used the year I was born instead.

What's your proudest accomplishment on the track?

In our first game of 2026, I made my first apex jump in a game! But any time I successfully earn more than 10 points in a single jam is a proud moment.

What's your gnarliest injury?

Hopefully, this doesn’t jinx it, but my worst derby-related injury so far was a sprained ankle in 2024. It took longer than it should have to heal because it was a busy time of year for me at work, and I wouldn’t stop walking on it.

How would you describe your derby playing style?

Squirrelly. I definitely rely on speed and agility on the track.

What are your goals for the season?

I want to get stronger, improve my track awareness, and be more strategic. But really, I’m happy if I can consistently be at practice with my friends and play in (and win!) as many games as possible this season.

What do you like to do in your free time?

What free time? I am also the lead singer of a blues/rock band called Junction 4961. Between derby, the band, the museum, I don’t have a lot of free time, but when I do, I like to spend it relaxing and hanging out with my husband and our cat, reading, or crafting.

If you had a song play every time you walked into a room, what would it be?

I'm in a Hurry (And Don't Know Why) by Alabama.