Summer School

CQS has had a busy summer. Our training wheels have been working hard to pass their skills assessments and begin scrimmaging, and I am happy to report that you’ll be seeing several new faces on the track this fall. Our veterans have been polishing their game and have a few new tricks up their sleeves as well. Our governing board is recently returned from a weekend retreat, armed with an action plan for expanding the league and increasing our community involvement, as well as continuing on our journey to become a WFTDA member league. Big things are on the horizon! In order to meet our goals we have had to make a few changes to our fall schedule. CQS will not be competing in the Labor Pains tournament in Myrtle Beach this Labor Day weekend. Instead we are packing everybody up and heading to Commotion by the Ocean hosted by the Dominion Derby Girls in Virginia Beach. This is an amazing opportunity for us! Veterans and training wheels alike will compete in a full day of challenge bouts and pick-up games with roller girls of all skill levels from all over the east coast (including the Dutchland Derby Rollers of Lancaster, PA, who would have been my home league if I hadn't moved.) In addition, our board members, committee heads, and even our referees will be attending a series of workshops where they will be schooled on everything from marketing and bout production to WFTDA affiliation. This event is closed to the public, but you can bet that when we return to Columbia we’ll be armed with the tools we need to create an even better derby experience for our fans! Our first public bout of the fall season will be in Athens, GA against the Classic City Rollergirls on Sunday, September 21st and our next home bout here in Columbia will be on October 19th against the Charlotte Rollergirls.

Great Week for Derby

It has been a great week for roller derby in Columbia. On Wednesday we got some love and promotion for our home bout from one of our newest sponsors, The Free Times.

"I Get Knocked Down, But I Get Up Again Local Roller Derby Teams Throw Down on Sunday
By CeCe Brooks
Still looking for something to do with your dad for Father's Day? How about heading to "Who's Your Daddy?", the first-ever match between Columbia's two roller derby teams, Columbia QuadSquad and The Richland County Regulators. "

Friday night was Roller Prom at New Brookland Tavern.more enjoyable then that thing I got drug to in high school. I think the alcohol helped. And all the people not
taking themselves seriously. Scott Bilby, local photographer who has worked with the team before, took prom pictures.
Good times. Things I learned: I still hate full length gowns (no surprise there) and there are people in this world who have some how escaped learning how to do The Electric Slide.

Sunday, of course, was the main event. The ColumbiaQuadSquad finally took on hometown rivals, The Richland County Regulators. The State had a great write up today on the front page of the Life & Style section. I disagree with Life & Style, I think its pretty clear this coverage belongs under Sports, but I have no complaints about the article itself. The photo gallery is pretty good too. WLTX, channel 19, covered derby as well, with sports reporter Reggie Anderson conducting interviews with CQS Friday and showing a teaser on Saturday. The result is the video and article here. I like the video (since I'm in it ) and the article is ok, although definitely from the 'look at this weird thing' angle rather than an actual sports angle.

So, the results? CQS 168, RCR 60. I think bouting experience made the difference. RCR got a few good hits in but they seemed to be making the same types of mistakes that we made in our first couple of bouts. It's something that takes a little bit of time. We still spent more time in the penalty box than I'm happy with. We're switching to WFTDA rule set 3.0 over the summer which seems to be stricter on penalties so this is going to have to be a focus for us at practice. Perhaps the most memorable thing about this bout was the Holly Hunter - Mel Anoma leg whip. Holly and I have played around with it a little at practice but this was the first time we actually had the opportunity to try it in a game situation. To quote Patrick (aka Mr. Anoma): "That was the coolest thing I've seen in derby yet!" This one felt good.
I gotta say it was

Pictures are all over the place. Patrick's pictures are here. Pictures by A Boy Named Tsunami are here and pictures by Daniel Harmon (I think?) are here.

Thanks again for all the support Columbia!

Hugs & Shoves,

Mel Anoma

Who’s your Daddy?

This blog was originally posted Sunday, June 15, 2008 by Bluegrass Crash



The long awaited showdown between the Columbia QuadSquad Rollergirls and the Richland County Regulators took place on Father’s Day at the aptly dubbed, “Who’s Your Daddy?” roller derby bout. Both local teams were welcomed to a full house of screaming fans at Jamil Temple, the thunderous crowd spotted with Regulator gold and QuadSqaud red.
With the screech of first whistle, the competitive anticipation quickly turned to game time battering. QuadSquad superstar Holly Hunter tore through the pack to claim status of lead jammer, a feat repeated by the QuadSquad during the next five jams before Regulator jammer, Rabbit Punch, was able to bust through Columbia’s steady defensive wall to claim lead status for her team. The QuadSqaud held control of the track throughout the first period, taking lead jammer status in ten of 13 jams and scoring 55 points over the Regulators’ 15.
Between periods, QuadSquad pivot/blocker Claudraphobia said, “We are warmed up and not a single player is tired,” a smile spread across her sweaty face, “I’m gonna have one massive bruise on my ass, though!”
The second period began with Holly Hunter in the penalty box, where she was required to spend one second before taking to the track. However, according to WFTDA rules, she was still eligible for lead jammer status, as long as she entered the track behind the pack. Piece of cake! Not only did Holly Hunter obtain lead status, she knocked contending jammer, Star Stormer, to the ground and then proceeded to glide through the pack twice, scoring a total of nine points in the first jam alone. That was only the beginning of another successful period for the QuadSqaud, in which the team obtained lead jammer status in eight of 12 jams, and raised the score to 108-32.
During the period break, QuadSquad assistant coach, A Horse with No Name, noted, “We are playing well, but there is room for improvement. We have confidence and we are defending our house.” That strong defensive spirit carried the QuadSquad successfully through the last period, where the team racked-up lead jammer status in 10 of 12 jams and defeated the Regulators with a final score of 168-60.
“Who’s Your Daddy?” The ColumbiaQuad Squad, that’s who!

Other Highlights
• Injury List: QuadSquad rollergirls Debya Gore 2000, Bluegrass Crash, and The Debilitator were out, due to derby-related injuries.
• New Faces: Two bouting skaters made their bout debut . . . Columbia, say hello to Ruff Rolla and Krypta Knight!
• Jammer News: The QuadSquad jammed an impressive rotation of Holly Hunter, Lil’BitCrazy, and Mel Anoma. Rookie jammer, Hurricane Dean, scored her first lead jammer status . . . Congratulations!
• Penalty Queen: Power blocker Tara Nass racked up the most penalties during the bout, as her husband and two boys cheered on every thrown elbow. (What a “roll” model mom!) Honorable mentions include booty-blocking pro Shiv Tyler and speed demon Lil’BitCrazy.
• Mrs. Clean: Krypta Knight had the lowest number of penalties, while Hurricane Dean and Claudraphobia also played a (mostly) clean game.
• Best Quote: When asked about her proudest game moment, blocker BrassKnuckle Brandy exclaimed, “When I knocked my best friend [Betty Burnout] the f*** out!” Ahhhh . . . nothin’ like Derby Love!