Wilkes is a stay-at-home mom from Burke who wears the number 5 shirt for the D.C. Demoncats, one of three teams in Washington’s Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby League that practice and compete and the D.C. Armory. Her league name is Mini Vandal.
How long have you been roller skating?
I lived in my roller skates when I was young, but when you hit a certain age you have to hang them up. But I was always interested in skating again. One day I was searching the Internet and I came across D.C. Rollergirls. I’m turning 41 and this is kind of my midlife crisis moment.
How did you get onto the team?
I was drafted to the Demoncats in February of 2009. You have to get your basic skills down and pass that, and then you have to get the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association Assessment and you have to pass that. You have to basically show that you can skate safely with a pack.
What is the training like?
We practice three days a week and we train all year, two or three days a week. … You have to learn to take hits, and there are some girls out there who can hit pretty hard.
Have you gotten hurt?
We wear full protective gear, but I have bruises.
Why did you pick roller derby?
I remember when I was younger seeing a roller derby movie, and I thought, ‘Gosh, that would be so cool to do.’… I went to a couple of bouts and saw some really tough girls out there, but then I thought, ‘You know, I can do it.’ And its the best thing I’ve ever done. I love that there is a sense of camaraderie with the other women and a sense of empowerment. And when you are a stay-at-home mom you get into the same routine. I get to go there and be my alter ego.
— Susan Ferrechio
