January Featured Skater: Miss Fortune

Derby name: Miss Fortune

Number: #13

Position(s): Blocker, unless forced elsewhere

How long have you been playing derby?

I started in the fall of 2023, was sidelined due to injury, spent a season NSOing, and started playing for real this season.

How did you get started playing derby?

I had been interested in it for a long time, but never had a team close enough to play until I moved to Johnson City. I met some of the team at Meet the Mountains, signed up, showed up, and finally did it.

What's your favorite thing about it?

I love the friends I've made as part of this community, and I love that we're all learning and being part of a team.

How did you pick your derby name/number?

I sprained my ankle on the second day of boot camp, and I wanted something that represented that bad luck, but was also a pun and could be interpreted as something that could be used against other teams. And then 13 was just to play into the bad luck element.

What's your proudest accomplishment on the track?

I haven't played a whole lot so far, but during a scrimmage I gave my jammer a whip that sent her all the way through the pack. Anytime I do something that helps someone else I feel good about it.

What's your gnarliest injury?

The sprained ankle was pretty rough, and I also had a cartilage tear in my wrist at the end of the season. Nothing really devastating.

How would you describe your derby playing style?

Get in the way. A lot of the time I'm trying to follow more experienced skaters and figure out where I can be the most effective, whether it's keeping a blocker at bay or holding up a jammer or providing an assist.

What are your goals for the season?

My biggest goals are to get faster and more confident. I've been focusing on skills and track awareness and I'm hoping to get more play time this season.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I'm a giant nerd: I love trivia, puzzles, anything that lets me use my brain. I'm also big on crafting (I own two button makers) and I tend to bounce between hyperfocus activities, so there may be something different next week.

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

Let Me Clear My Throat by DJ Kool.