Wheels of Justice Take Down a New York Dynasty in Thrilling Victory

Portland, OR (Nov 10, 2015): The Rose City all-star women’s roller derby team, the Wheels of Justice, won the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) championship Nov. 8 in St. Paul, Minn. The Rose City Rollers came from behind in the final minutes to beat the reigning champion Gotham Girls Roller Derby All-Stars by a score of 206-195.

Rose City jammer Scald Eagle was named MVP of the tournament, scoring 133 points in the championship game, including a 28-point effort in the penultimate jam.

“It really happened! Our hard work paid off and we accomplished what we set out to do from the start. I’m so in love with my team, my league, our fans, and this incredible sport.” – Shaina Serelson, Wheels of Justice, Team Captain

Coming into this game, Gotham was on a five-year, 67-game winning streak, including four consecutive WFTDA titles. One of those games was the 2014 championship game, which Rose City lost in the last moments in a heart-rending score of 144-147. This loss galvanized the Portland team in their training for 2015.

The ecstatic crowd at the Roy Wilkins Auditorium in St. Paul was solidly behind Portland’s team in white and purple, cheering for the underdog to unseat the Goliath of Gotham. Thousands more derby fans watched in the United States on ESPN3, and online worldwide.

Rose City’s win comes only three weeks after the loss of their longtime coach, Robin “Rob Lobster” Ludwig, to brain cancer. The team supported each other in what could have been an overwhelmingly emotional time to bring their goal, that he put so much of his time, effort, and heart into, to fruition. This win is for Lobster.

Rose City defeated the Bay Area Roller Derby Girls All-Stars (191-145) and London Rollergirls’ London Brawling (154-166) to earn their way to the championship game.

About Rose City Rollers:

The Rose City Rollers serve women and girls who want to play the team sport of roller derby, connect with an inclusive community, and realize their power both on skates and off. (We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, formed in 2004, and a founding member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association)

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For more information or video footage, contact:

Rocket Mean aka Kim Stegeman
Executive Director, Rose City Rollers
rocketmean@rosecityrollers.com