Name: 99 Problem$

Nickname: 99

What’s the origin of your name? It’s the title of a song by Jay-Z. There’s a nice little play on words involved because of the fact that derby is primarily played by women   Basically, it means ‘of all the things I have going on in my life, I’m not put out by whatever drama you are trying to cause’

Number: 215

What does your number mean?
It is the weight I started out at when I first came on the league. It signifies that Derby is for all body types, that we can find beauty, strength and value in ourselves whether we are 98 lbs. or 250 lbs.

Team: Backwoods Betties, Hardwood Hustlas, NWA AllStars

What position do you play? Blocker, Pivot

How long have you been skating? The first time I remember skating, our preschool took us to Roller City on a field trip. (1985 or ’86) I remember getting freaked out when Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ was played. We would hide behind the benches until the song was over. From then on, I was that kid who wanted every to spend every birthday party and every weekend at the skating rink. (Even now, I try to persuade my kids to have parties there too.)

When did you join derby? May 2010

How did you get involved in derby? I Googled “Roller Derby” a few years ago it and found NWARD. I remember there were stats and pictures of theteam members and thinking, “That girl is tiny. I could accidentally hurt her.” It turns out, weight and height mean NOTHING when it comes to derby, and those 110 pounders could pick me up off my feet if they hit me right. I promised myself that I would start going to fresh meat as soon as my twins were old enough to walk. It was time to find a hobby I enjoyed.

Signature move: Rusty Guillotine and I have this SWEET sandwich crush move. Usually it’s an accident that we both moved in on the same girl at the same time, but you really don’t wanna get caught in the middle of it.

What roll do you play behind the scenes? Former Recruitment Head and loudmouth on the sidelines.

Pre-bout ritual: I make sure to eat light throughout the day, lots of water, and nothing to eat about 2 hours before the bout, except for a banana to get rid of the jitters.

Motivational quote: “Create the highest, grandest vision possible for your life, because you become what you believe”- Oprah
Oh and… “I ain’t never scared”- Bonecrusher

Derby heroes: Miley Virus, Adderoller, JoAnnimal, Eclipse, La Bomba, Rusty Guillotine, Snicka, Sugar Whips, Wop, Cosmic etc. I find new ones EVERY DAY!!!

What makes you have instant respect for a derby skater?
Skate fast, hit hard, fall small, get up quick! Oh, and a good attitude helps too.

What do you do outside of derby? I am a mom of 4. I have a 9 year old girl, a 4 year old girl and a set of boy/girl twins who are almost 3. I’m a Nurse at a preschool/therapy clinic for kids with developmental delays and developmental disabilities like Down Syndrome, Autism, etc. I’m the only Nurse in the state of Ar. who has a certification in developmental disabilities and I hold the record for the highest test scores (99%) in the nation. I’ve been married almost 12 years and have worked for the same company and with the same population for almost 12 years. I LOVE my life at home and work, and derby adds the perfect balance.

Favorite derby moment so far?
I got MVP with the Hustlas last year!!! Also, my first bout EVER was against Kansas City. Huge venue, huge team, and I did not die. Big accomplishment.

Favorite derby teams? KCRW, Magic City, Green Country and No Coast.

If you could remove one penalty from the game what would it be?
I think they are all warranted.

What advice would you like to give up and coming derby players?
You become what you believe. Skate as much as you can. Being comfortable is half the battle, Get outside your comfort zone. When learning a new drill or skill if you don’t fall a few times, you aren’t getting outside of your comfort zone. Mistakes are the best lessons learned.

Derby awards? Hardwood Hustlas MVP vs Gatlin Girls, Rolling Stone Award 2011

Where are you from? Fayetteville born and NWA raised

How long have you lived here? 21 years and holding 

What keeps you here? My family, my job, the derb.

Animals?
Adopted American Boxer- 10 year old ‘Nutter Butter’, a Jack Russell Terrier that my kids named Bentley Xavier. He was a 4th of July baby.

Family? Hubby and 4 kiddos, my derby wife Rusty Guillotine, extended family all over NWA and in San Francisco. Oh, and my Derby Family all over the world!!