News

Skater of the Month – Ice BreakHer

Posted: June 2, 2016 by amievirus in Skater of the Month 2016

1. Derby name & number: Ice BreakHer #60


2. Real name: Maureen (Mo) Lynch


3. Significance of derby name/#: I study penguins in Antarctica so I wanted something related to ice in my name. I travel to Antarctica on icebreakers so I went with that because it sounded strong and forceful. I chose the number 60 because 60°southis the boundary of Antarctica. It is the political boundary of the Antarctic Treaty System and approximately the ecological boundary as well. 


4. Age: 32


5. Position you play: TBD!

6. How long have you been skating? I tried out for SIDR in April of 2015. I went skating for the first time exactly one month before that!


7. How did you join derby? Several years ago I went to my first derby bout in Detroit and after that I occasionally thought about how much fun it would be to play, but never seriously considered trying out. When I moved to Long Island I was looking for a new hobby and Biscuits & Crazy and I decided to try out together. I think I needed the push of having a friend try out with me – having that accountability as well as someone to share the experience with.


8. What do you like most about derby? I am an extremely competitive person and am excited to be back in a team sport where I can have a healthy outlet for that competitive nature.Learning a new sport (starting with zero knowledge of how to skate!) has been an exciting challenge for me. I have also really enjoyed getting to know such a group of motivated, strong people who I might not have met otherwise.

9. Greatest strength on or off the track: I hope to be a good teammate both on and off the track – encouraging my teammates and giving my best effort at all times.

10. Derby injuries: No serious injuries yet (fingers crossed)!


11. Favorite derby memory: Showing up for tryouts and being so nervous that my heart was beating out of my chest. Then shaking off those nerves and trying things I had never done before.


12. Favorite foods/drinks: Carrots. Wine. Cheese.


13. Anyone you look up to in the derby world? At this point I look up to practically everyone. Every time I watch a skater from our league or other leagues I can learn something new, and I hope to soak up as much of that as possible.


14. Who inspires you the most from your league? I am inspired all of the skaters in SIDR, each in different ways. I draw great inspiration from the coaches who are also active skaters, as they have to take time to not only improve their skills but to explain and teach those skills to other players on the team. I am also inspired by players who are not coaches but take time to answer my questions during drills, or to point out ways that I can improve.


15. Who is the most challenging player you experienced? All of the SIDR vets!


16. Do you play any other sports besides Roller derby? I was a rower in high school and college but unfortunately have not been able to row much since college. I miss it a lot and hope that sometime in the future I can get back into it.


17. What personal advice would you give young derby beginners? Push yourself. Your body is stronger and more capable than your mind oftenallows it to be. You do not know your true limits until you actually test them.


18. When and what occasion was a specific moment you felt like you really had to push yourself even harder? My first practice with the vets! I knew that I had to step up my game, and that I would be at the lowest skill level of the group so I had to try to do everything faster and with more precision.

19. Hobbies outside of derby: Hiking, camping, hanging out with penguins


20.  Quote: It’s not the will to win that matters – everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters. – Bear Bryant