Season Finale! October 3, 2015

The Iron Range Maidens closed out their 5th season on October 3rd. The season finale did not disappoint. The maidens were victorious against the Mankato Area Derby Girls. The final score was 198 to 89. MAD Girls brought hard hits and high spirits, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the Maidens.

Kit E Breaks Through. Copyright 2015 Tim Verthein

Kit E Breaks Through. Copyright 2015 Tim Verthein

Copyright 2015 Tim Verthein

Copyright 2015 Tim Verthein

The 2015 season was a great one for the Maidens for many reasons. They finished out the year with 3 wins and 1 loss. The Maidens also placed 4th at a tournament in Grand Forks. Besides wins and losses, 2015 was another injury free year for the Maidens. Lastly the team is growing with old skaters returning and new skaters coming in.

In the past few months 12 women have shown interest in joining the team. The Maidens are always taking new people with any skating ability. If you find yourself curious about roller derby: want to watch or want to play, find the Iron Range Maidens on Facebook or email them at info@ironrangemaidens.com. Be on the lookout for their 2016 season where they hope to see many new skaters making their debut.

Copyright 2015 Tim Verthein

Copyright 2015 Tim Verthein

The Iron Range Maidens would like to thank their sponsors for supporting them through the 2015 season: The Grand Rapids Eagles Club, Globe Drug, Grand Rapids State Bank, Ice Cube, KAXE, KOZY/KMFY, KQ, LMNO P-ZA, Northern Lights School, Northern Pines, Ogles Market Place, Paul Bunyan, Rapids Printing, Roller Derby Radio Network, Visit Grand Rapids, and Wine Creations. The season would also not be possible without their fans, volunteers, NSOs, and refs; to them the Maidens are also grateful. They hope to see you all next season!

Roller Derby Radio Network Copyright 2015 Tim Verthein

Roller Derby Radio Network
Copyright 2015 Tim Verthein

August 29 Double Header

The Iron Range Maidens hosted a surprise double header on Saturday August 29th at the Hodgins-Berardo Arena.

The night started off with Bemidji’s Babe City Rollers taking on Moose Lake Mafia. A final score of 139 to 108 gave the Babes the win. Moose Lake put up a good fight with the help of some foster skaters from Harbor City Roller Dames. The Babes continue to show off their endurance and amazing team work with a short roster of only 9 skaters. Fine Day Fury and Hot Flash Gordon made their debut with the Babes.

BCR vs. MLM; Copyright 2015 JWesley.Bailey

BCR vs. MLM Copyright 2015 JWesley.Bailey

The Maidens were excited to give the crowd of 200 people a win. Aberdeen, South Dakota’s A-Town brought their A game with a small roster of only 9 skaters as well, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Maidens. The final score was 189 to 90.

Copyright 2015 Quick 'N' Derby

Copyright 2015 Quick ‘N’ Derby

Back in May A-Town battled with the Maidens at Rumble in the Valley Roller Derby Tournament in Grand Forks. In a 20 minute bout the maidens pulled out a win by only 3 points. The anticipation of playing a full bout against A-Town drove the maidens to practice harder and work on strategies.

Peanut Slugger-N-Jam, Addy Tude, and Miz D Meanor did not disappoint in their first bout back after a personal sabbatical. Winter is Coming made her debut as a true Maiden.

Peanut, Miz D and Addy Copyright 2015 JWesley.Bailey

Peanut, Miz D and Addy
Copyright 2015 JWesley.Bailey

If you are interested in skating, helping out, or just staying in loop with what the team is doing, you can follow the Maidens on Facebook or email info@ironrangemaidens.com. Since the bout, many ladies have stepped forward hoping to join the team. There are no tryouts to be a Maiden; Show up, get your gear, and pass the tests.

The last bout of the season will take place at the Hodgins-Berardo arena in Coleraine on October 3rd at 6pm. The Maidens are grateful for your support and hope to see you on the 3rd.

May 30th Home Opener

The Iron Range Maidens held their home opener on Saturday May 30th. The Maiden’s opponents, the Babe City Rollers of Bemidji, came ready to play. A lot of hard work and preparation went into this bout and they’ll have more to come.

The Hodgins-Berardo Arena in Coleraine has become home for the Maidens. The season opener was held there,  and the Maiden’s two upcoming home bouts will be there as well. Over 150 people filled the stands on Saturday night to watch the Maidens play the Babes.

The Babes came with 7 skaters, 1 of which was a foster skater from Harbor City, Penny Pinch Her. Even with a small roster the Babes proved they were a force to be reckoned with. The Maidens with a roster of 10 were unable to keep the Babes from winning.

The bout was full of fast paced skating, big hits, some pile ups, and a close score. The point spread was never more than 21 points. The lead team changed 9 times and the score was tied twice during the bout. The final score was 120 to 140 Babes.

Photo by Keith V.

Photo by Keith V.

Blak n’ Blu Betty had a 14 point jam and Thwaconite had a 12 point jam for the Maidens. Both Nerdzilla and Oh-No-Jo-Jo put up a 19 point jam for the Babes. Maidens’ top scoring jammer for the bout was Martyr Maker with 37 points. Nerdzilla was the top scoring jammer for the Babes with 58 points.

It was a great bout for the crowd. The Maidens hope to see more people with each bout. The Iron Range Maidens is a nonprofit organization, whose goal is to strive to positively represent the greater Grand Rapids area by displaying superior sportsmanship, while giving back to the local community. Roller derby encourages women to be active. The Itasca Synchronized Swimming Team was the beneficiary for the bout. They will receive 10% of that bout’s proceeds.

Each home bout is put on by the Iron Range Maidens. Everything from laying the track, to advertising, to finding volunteers, to playing a good game is all on the team. Please come show your support for the Maidens on August 29th and October 3rd when they play at the Hodgins-Berardo arena again.

Want to help out, try skating, or just want to know what the Maidens are up to? Find them online on Facebook Iron Range Maidens or their website ironrangemaidens.com. The Maidens would like to thank everyone that helped make this bout possible the fans, volunteers, nsos, refs, and skaters. Without all of you Iron Range Maiden roller derby would not be possible.

Iron Range Maidens’ 2015 Season Schedule

Join the Iron Range Maidens at 6pm on Saturday, October 3 when we take on the Mankato Area Derby Girls at Hodgins-Berardo Arena in Coleraine. Tickets are just $5; children age 5 and under get in for free.
Doors open at 5:30 pm. Check out the event on Facebook for more details.

Purchase tickets now.

HOME BOUTS

  • May 30 – Iron Range Maidens 120 vs. Babe City Rollers 140 (Bemidji, MN)
  • August 29 – Iron Range Maidens 189 vs. A-Town Roller Girlz 90 (Aberdeen, SD)
  • October 3 – Iron Range Maidens vs. Mankato Area Derby Girls (Mankato, MN)

AWAY BOUTS

Join Us!

Grand Rapids Area Roller Derby has just begun its 2015 season, and now is a great time to join!  We’re currently practicing on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:00-9:00pm at Hodgins Berardo Arena in Coleraine.  Stop by and check us out!

  • Skaters must identify as female and be at least 19 years of age with current medical insurance.
  • Referees, who also skate, can be either male or female, and must be at least 19 years of age with current medical insurance.

Want to get involved but don’t want to skate?  We are always looking for league volunteers for bout days and more! Stop by practice or email info@ironrangemaidens.com.