The Windy City Rollers ( WCR ) did not have the showing they were hoping for at the annual Women's Flat Track Derby Association's ( WFTDA's ) 2009 National Champions in Philadelphiawhich ended its three-day run Nov. 15as the Oly Rollers from Olympia, Wash., claimed the title.
But the Rollers already are looking forward to 2010, especially the next WFTDA National Championship which, it was just announced, will be held Nov. 12-14 at the UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine.
The 2010 national championship, titled "Uproar by the Lakeshore," will feature the top roller derby leagues from all four regions: East, North Central, South Central and West. The national champion claims the Hydra Trophy, which the Oly Rollers hoisted after a 178-100 win over Texas. The Denver Roller Dolls and Rocky Mountain Roller Girls, both from Denver, finished third and fourth, respectively.
The Oly Rollers joined the WFTDA in April 2008, and this was the first tournament season the league was eligible to participate. Oly's Cosa Nostra Donnas won the 2009 Western Regional Tournament in October and entered the 2009 national tournament as the No. 1 seed from their region, earning a first-round bye. Over the first two qualifying rounds, the team defeated two previous national champions: Gotham Girls Roller Derby ( 2008 ) and Texas Rollergirls ( 2006 ) .
"Unfortunately, after a first-round bye, we were eliminated in a game against Denver," losing 157-125, said Varla Vendetta, WCR All-Stars co-captain. "That puts us out of the top four, but we'll have to wait for next quarter's ranking votes to see where we rank.
"The entire team, from players to our bench coaches [ performed well ] . Our huge contingent of fans was amazingly motivational and supportive."
In 2008, WCR advanced to the championship game, ultimately falling to Gotham. "This year's tournament featured a ton of upsets of historically strong teams: Philly, Gotham, WCR, [ and ] Texas," Vendetta said. "The western region debuted with a very strong showing and distinct style."
WCR will hold its annual end-of-the-season banquet Sunday, Dec. 6, appropriately titled the Black and Blue Ball. Numerous awards will be presented at the event as the entire league voted on categories ranging from Best Jammer/Blocker/Pivot and Best Support Staff to team and league MVPs.
"The Windy City Rollers are proud to be hosting the 2010 WFTDA National Championships," said Slammah Montana, home team skater and media relations chairperson. "Our league is extremely excited for the opportunity to host this incredible event. Our central location will be convenient for teams from across the country to come together to play some top-level derby, as well as experience everything Chicago has to offer. We are incredibly excited to bring the best roller derby out there to our city and give Chicago fans this chance to see some of the most amazing and competitive games of the year.
"Being a volunteer-run organization, we know that it will be a great challenge to bring everything together, but we are confident that we can produce an amazing weekend event."
See www.windycityrollers.com .