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.

2014 Home Season Finale

On September 27, GRARDA hosted their last home bout of the 2014 season. The double header was action packed. The first bout was the Dirty Ores versus the Shipwreckers. The main bout was the Iron Range Maidens versus Dames of Anarchy (DOA).

The Shipwreckers showed their endurance by playing with a short roster of only 9 skaters. The Dirty Ores played with integrity and displayed their strong booty blocking skills. With a final score of 236 to 139 the Shipwreckers took the win.

Dirty Ores and Shipwreckers ~ Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Dirty Ores and Shipwreckers ~ Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

The night was just getting started when the Maidens took the track against DOA of Mason City Iowa. It was a bout full of big hits, quick skates and a little dancing. DOA kept the score within 50 points throughout the bout, but was unable to close the deal. Maidens won with a final score of 219 to 172.

IRM vs DOA Peanut

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

IRM vs DOA

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Northern Lights Community School was the bout beneficiary. Thanks to the fans GRARDA is able to help send students to London. Bout beneficiaries are community, non-profit organizations who receive a portion of the ticket sales from that bout.

GRARDA is looking for skaters and referees. There will be two recruitment nights this month: Monday, October 6th from 6pm-8pm at the Northern Lights Community School in Warba and Tuesday, October 7th from 6pm-8pm at the Grand Rapids Armory. Interested people must be 19 years or older with health insurance.

Come ask questions, try on some gear and meet some derby girls.

IRM vs DOA b

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

The team would like to say thank you to all their fans and sponsors for your support this season. GRARDA is not possible without you. Maidens have one more away bout in Manitoba this year. The skaters hope to see you all for their 5th season in 2015! Watch for 2015 season dates on the website or on Facebook.

 

Bout Day! August 9, 2014

The Iron Range Maidens started out their day on August 9 by skating in the Remer Harvest Days Parade with new sponsor, The Icecube.Remer Harvest Days Parade 2014

Later that evening, the Maidens took on Team Gang Green of the Wheat City Roller Derby League of Brandon, Manitoba.  It was a hard fought bout, but Team Gang Green came out on top with a score of 197-165.

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Star of the North Humane Society was the bout beneficiary, and both teams had fun playing with the cute and furry animals. A few kittens met their new families at the bout!

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2014 JWesley.Bailey

Midwest Derby Fest 2014

June 27-29, 2014 – The Iron Range Maidens traveled to Lebanon, Missouri to participate in the second annual Midwest Derby Fest Tournament. This is a double elimination tournament, two losses and you’re out. “This tournament is to show the progression of leagues in tournament play” according to the event’s Facebook page “The format is tough and teams have to show great capacity for endurance, training, coaching, team work and strategy. This by no means is an easy feat.” The bracket was composed of 16 women’s teams. There was a bracket for 8 men’s teams as well. The men and women did not compete against each other.

After 13 hours of driving over two days the Maidens faced their first Opponents on Friday night. The Maidens were unable to defeat Plan B with a final score of 113 to 215.

Copyright 2014 Randy Pace

Copyright 2014 Randy Pace

 

Saturday proved to be a better day, pulling out a double win. Mid America Rebels were only able to score 45 points against the Maidens 299. Dark River brought more to the track with a final score of 126 to 104. Sunday brought the possibility of multiple games as long as a win was had. The Maidens proved themselves again against the M.U.L.L.E.T.s 120 to 107.

IRM and MULLET

The bouts were only two hours apart with each opponent getting stronger. It was a nail biting game against the Derby Diamonds, with the leading score changing hands almost every other jam. The Maidens fought hard, but the final score did not end in their favor at 96 to 102. This put the Iron Range Maidens in an unofficial 5th place.

This was the Maidens first experience at a double elimination tournament. There was plenty of roller derby to watch and much to learn. They were able to cheer on fellow Minnesota team the men’s Terrordactyles. In turn the Terrordactyls cheered for the Maidens and helped bench coach at every bout.

IRM and Terrordactyls

Peanut Slugger-n-Jam had family in the area to also cheer on the Maidens. The “Peanut Gallery” with the Terrordactyles proved to be the loudest cheering section of the tournament. The Maidens greatly appreciated the support.

IRM and the Peanut Gallery

You can find some pictures of the event on the Iron Range Maidens Facebook page and also #irm2mdf. To see the Maidens locally, they will be in Coleraine August 9th.

Copyright 2014 Randy Pace

Copyright 2014 Randy Pace

Copyright 2014 Randy Pace

Copyright 2014 Randy Pace

The Iron Range Maidens

2013 Home Season Finale

September 21, 2013 – Grand Rapids Area Roller Derby ended the season with a dual win! The Iron Range Attackonites beat Ely’s DaRANGED, 189 to 168.

Copyright 2013 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2013 JWesley.Bailey

The Iron Range Maidens were victorious over the Eau Claire Chippewa Valley Roller Girls, 318 to 75. Thank you for supporting your local roller derby!

Copyright 2013 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2013 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2013 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2013 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2013 JWesley.Bailey

Copyright 2013 JWesley.Bailey