Creve Coeur Woman On The Roller Derby Comeback Trail

Some women hear about the game through friends. Others see it advertised on a poster. Curiosity drives them to check out a practice. 

By the time they lace on their skates, they are hooked on Roller Derby. 

"A lot of people think it's people punching each other in the face," said Deanna Seithel, 34, who joined the St. Chux Derby Chix in October. "It's much more in-depth than people believe. There's a lot to learn." 

Roller Derby has undergone a resurgence since the 1970s and 1980s. Today, there are more than 450 teams across the country. The St. Louis area has several teams: the Arch Rival Roller Girls, St. Chux Derby Chix, and a men's team, the St. Louis Gatekeepers.

when a group of suburban women were looking to start a derby team closer to home. Arch Rival Roller Girls practice in St. Louis. The women are coached by , a member of the St. Louis Gatekeepers, the area men’s Roller Derby team.

The team's first bout of the season was Saturday night in St. Peters.

St. Chux Derby Chix practice at Skate Galaxy in unincorporated St. Charles County near Highway 94 and Interstate 40. Team members come from across the area, including Wentzville, St. Charles, Creve Couer, even Desoto. They range in age from their early 20s to early 40s. 

Many women are initially attracted to the game as a way to get in shape. It's a physically challenging game. However, most said they have gotten more out of it than just fitness.

Darci McAfee, 32-year-old mother of two from St. Peters, said roller derby has given her back a sense of self. 

"It's given me an identity besides, 'I'm Caden's mom, I'm Aidric's mom,'" she said. "There are so many women who say, 'What identifies me besides my status as a mom or a job or a married woman?' For many women, this is it."

Victoria Gee, a 38-year-old production supervisor for a pharmaceutical company, said Roller derby is an outlet for her. 

"I feel like I've become a stronger person personally, not just physically," she said. 

In the team's first full season it went 3-3. This season the team is looking to improve.

Lisa Stroker, a 39 year-old business owner from Creve Coeur, is looking for a healthy year, too. She missed most of last season after she wheel-locked another girl and tore her meniscus. "I wear a knee brace. I was so into it and looked forward to every practice. When I got hurt, I was devastated. My family, my husband, my daughter. She didn't like me being hurt. I struggled with coming back. Then, I was like, depressed over not being able to skate. I knew I was coming back as soon as I was allowed by my doctor," she said.

Stroker says she enjoys the stress release and the cardio benefits which come with Roller Derby, even if it surprises her friends. "They know I'm feisty, but I'm also laid back," Stroker said.

The next bout is scheduled for April in Cape Girardeau.