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    Ohio Roller Derby Opens 12th Bout Season on Saturday

    Ohio Roller Derby fans, the twelfth bout season begins March 18 against the Naptown Roller Girls from Indianapolis, IN. This year’s schedule has six home bouts and the team will go on the road four times.

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    This season will be Kelli Linfitt’s third season with the Ohio Roller Derby, having played in previous leagues before relocating to Columbus.

    “I played two seasons with the Ohio All-Stars team after transferring from my previous leagues, London Roller girls then Glass City Rollers,” she says. “I then retired from playing last season due to the demands of my own kid’s sports – only to un-retire this season because I missed it so much!”

    Linfitt skates wearing #33 and dons the name Ena Flash. After taking a look at her skating style, team mates helped Linfitt find her name, and it’s fitting since she often gets to others to help them out or ‘stop a jammer at lightning speed’ – in a flash!

    “Roller Derby was different than any other sport I had seen before,” she says on why she wanted to join. “The physical strength and coordination it requires, and to be on roller skates while playing a very strategic game, really appealed to me. And it’s a great motivator to get and stay in shape.”

    Linfitt most enjoys the connection and camaraderie with all the other players on the team.

    “Everyone I’ve met along my roller derby journey is just as passionate about it as I am,” she says.

    Ohio Roller Derby has been on the receiving end of some fantastic transfers to the league over the past year. Linfitt notes most of the team’s veteran players have remained, and with a few others coming out of retirement, the two teams will be very strong.

    A structural change has been made to the Play-Off and Championship tournament this season with the new format having three instead of four hosting cities for Division 1. It will also combine the Division 2 and championship tournament into one weekend rather than two.

    “We have made Division 1 in the past so we’re continuing to follow that path!” says Linfitt.

    Up to 20 people participate on each on the two teams: Ohio All-Stars and Gang Green – the reserve team. Both teams travel (this season to St.Louis, Buffalo, and Ann Arbor) with the All Stars playing for WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) rankings. Come game time, 14 players + two alternates are chosen for the game roster.

    Watch the Ohio Roller Derby take on the Naptown Roller Girls this Saturday, March 18 at 5 p.m. at the Ohio Expo Center.

    Season tickets are available for $70. Individual tickets are $17 at the door, or $14 online in advance. Bouts are held at the Ohio Expo Center, 717 E 17th Ave., in the Ohio Building. Doors open at 4 p.m. and the action starts at 5 p.m. All home games are doubleheaders and children under 8 are admitted free. Parking is $5 per car.

    The home schedule:

    March 18 vs. Naptown Roller Girls (Indianapolis, IN)
    April 1 vs. Brandywine Roller Derby (Downingtown, PA)
    April 22 vs. Blue Ridge Rollergirls (Asheville, NC)
    May 6 vs. Charm City Roller Girls (Baltimore, MD)
    June 10 vs. St. Chux Derby Chix (St. Charles, MO), Gang Green opponent TBD
    July 1 vs. Detroit Roller Derby (Detroit, MI)

    For more information, visit ohiorollerderby.com.

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    Anne Evans
    Anne Evanshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-evans/
    Anne Evans is the Co-Founder and Director of Operations for The Metropreneur and Columbus Underground. She regularly contributes feature stories on both sites, as well as Mega Weekend each week. She has started and grown businesses, created experiences, forged community partnerships, and worked to create opportunities for others. She loves meeting new neighbors and those making an impact in our community. Want to connect?
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