WFTDA Preview: North Star @ #19 Madison

By Geoffrey Saucer, Last updated Fri Aug 21 2009 1:30pm

MADISON, WI -- Back in the very early history of the flat-track derby resurgence -- that is, before national tournaments, national rankings, or even the name "WFTDA" -- many newbies to roller derby could barely be faulted for wondering whether the game was a flash-in-the-pan guilty pleasure, or a legitimate beacon to the future. Most of today's fans can recall the bout they saw that solidified their impression as the second. For many of Madison's longtime fans, it was the Dairyland Dolls’ 2005 contest against the Minnesota Rollergirls at the Duckpond, Madison’s minor league baseball park, that cinched the deal.

This bout will be covered live on DNN in a combination text and audio boutcast.

A rain delayed, track-mopping – heck, track-lifting - flag-parachuting, giant inflatable duck of an extravaganza of a mess was just so, well . . . ballsy. Rollergirls representing every league in the Midwest came. Those who set up the track just groan at the memory, but in any terms, it was a night to remember. That night, the Dairyland Dolls literally broke the scoreboard in a rout of the Minnesota Rollergirls. This Saturday, August 22, The Twin Cities’ other team, the Northstar Rollergirls Supernovas, make their way to Madison for Duckpond II.

For both teams, the Duckpond bout is the final competition heading into Brawl of America in a month’s time. The Supernovas would like nothing better than to avenge the loss of four years ago on behalf of their home city, while Madison looks to assert their position in the rankings in search of a berth at WFTDA Nationals. Currently Madison is officially #3 in the North Central region behind Windy City and Detroit, and unofficially sits at #19 in the nation via the DNN rankings.

The Dairyland Dolls field a veteran team, led by the charge of jammers Jewels of Denile and the fleet-footed rookie Juke Boxx. Guilty of a loose pack in the past, the Dolls have demonstrated defense grit in all their bouts this season, most recently against Arch Rival in a 109-74 win.

The Northstar Supernovas are a bit of an unknown on the WFTDA interleague scene, but they were working on an impressive 7 game winning streak against area competition before being barely edged out by Brewcity 92-91 in June. 3 of those wins were sanctioned bouts against lowly-ranked WFTDA teams in Sioux Falls, Omaha and Ohio.

Last year, North Star managed to knock off their big sisters Minnesota in a non-regulation bout during the November 2008 Rolling On the River tournament hosted by Sioux City, though that story was somewhat buried by the WFTDA Nationals occurring the following weekend. This year, the Supernovas have managed to make their way into the North Central Regionals as the eight seed. Adding to the unknown is the addition of Minnesota Rollergirl and Team Awesome stalwart Jawbreaker, who transferred earlier this summer.

With Windy City idle this weekend, expect other leagues to be out in force. The night promises to be more than just derby. In the August dusk and under the ball park lights, it will be an event.

The Madison Mallards and Keva Sports Center are exclusive sponsors for this event. Current forecast calls for a clear night in the mid-60s, but if Saturday night is a rain-out, a sanctioned bout open to the public will be held at the Duckpond on Sunday morning. If that’s a no-go, the teams will meet in a closed sanctioned bout at Fast Forward Skate Center Sunday afternoon.

Back Doris 1134 // Chop Suzzy 311 // Darling Nikki 14 // Dolly Pardon Me 925 // Jewels of Denile 99 // Juke Boxx A18 // Kit Shickers All 8 // Mack the Knife 15 // Mauly Tov 131 MJ // Mouse 4 // Mustang 66 // Stank Girl 773W5 // Stitch 444 // Tango del Muerte 22

Black Sunshine 33 // Cher Noble 43 // Crust Almighty 40oz // Hype R Drive 507 // Jawbreaker 86 // Jowanna BEAT Down 81 // Katarina Hit 1300 // Kayzilla 48 // MEDUSA 13 // Naughty Kitty 00 // Pogue Mahone 26 // Roller Vixen 16 // Stalker Channing V // tin lizzy 17