Scrambled Legs, right, regroups with her fellow blockers during a bout against Mid-State Roller Derby last season. (Kent Kraft/For the Gazette)

Growing up, most people find something that truly fascinates them, some adventure, activity, or even a career field that captivates the imagination. As people age, sometimes those things that once captivated us fades into something that simply once sounded fun. For others though, there is no letting go of that passion that ignited something deep inside.

Once upon a time, a young girl read an article about a roller derby team in downstate Michigan, and one of those deep burning fires began. After obtaining her first “real adult job” in the Keweenaw, her mind was made up that she would join a derby team if the area had one. Fortunately, Keweenaw Roller Derby (KRD) was ready to welcome her and, in 2022, she enrolled in their new skater program.

That was the origin story of Scrambled Legs, who is now in her fourth season with KRD and still loving every minute of her time on the team. She chose her name knowing she wanted something that was fun, preferably a pun, and because, in her words, “I love my weird legs.” As for her chosen number, No. 77, she emphatically stated there is no meaning behind it and just chose something she thought she’d easily be able to hear in the loud chaos of a bout.

Spectators to Scrambled Legs’ first bout in 2023 may have noticed her being a little wobbly on skates still, and perhaps thinking that was one of the reasons for her name. In all reality, that is because she was still learning how to skate. The first time she laced up a pair of roller skates and gave it a try was in 2022 during the new skater program with KRD.

Yes, the girl with the nearly lifelong dream of being on a roller derby team didn’t start skating until she was trying to join up with the team. Somewhat more amazingly, she’s not alone in this feat as other skaters on the squad similarly were never on roller skates before joining.

Fortunately, she took to skating quickly and, enjoying her reflections on her beginnings, smiled when she said “skating is really fun.” Though she claims it took her “a long time to get bout ready,” Scrambled Legs was competing in bouts after about a year of practice.

Finishing her first bout with the team remains her favorite memory in her young career.

“Afterwards, the coach and all my teammates were so nice and made me feel so good for getting so far and accomplishing all of that,” she said.

As she continues playing with KRD, she hopes to improve her skills and become “a solid, well-rounded team member new skaters can look up to.”

Scrambled Legs talked quite favorably about her teammates who encouraged her throughout her beginnings with the team.

“Everybody goes at their own rate in derby, and I never felt judged for falling more than other people or taking longer to master skills,” she said. “I still don’t feel that way.”

In hearing so many of her teammates talk about how accepting the team is about people’s personalities, Scrambled Legs felt it was important people know no one on KRD will judge people based on their personal talent levels either. She was given space to grow into a better skater, and assures anyone else that comes out to join the team would be afforded the same.

Contemplating the makeup of the team, she mentioned some new players moved from an area where they were on a derby team before and bring experience with them, but others are fresh out of high school and looking for something to do. Everyone is welcome in the ranks of KRD, something Scrambled Legs loves about her squad.

“Even if it turns out being a skating player isn’t right for you, it’s such a fun community and there are so many ways to really feel involved and be a part of a team,” she said.

She pointed out that several people on the KRD team can be found not in the pads and helmets to play, but as non-skating officials or other volunteers that help put on the bout so the teams can play and spectators have something to watch.

Speaking of spectators, Scrambled Legs hopes the audience continues to grow in the Calumet Colosseum. KRD is taking on some highly ranked teams meaning there will be excellent skating taking place on track.

Roller derby isn’t something you’ll get a chance to see much of across the U.P., according to her experience, so people in the area should take advantage of the fun time KRD offers. She stresses it is family friendly with plenty of action to keep the kids interested, and plenty going on to entertain adults as well. Bouts are, as she puts it succinctly, “just a really rad experience.”

Interested in giving roller derby a try?

Would roller derby fulfill any lifelong dreams for you? Visit the KRD website at https://keweenawrollerderby.com/ to learn more. The next home bout for KRD comes up on June 28 at the Calumet Colosseum as they take on the Traverse City Toxic Cherries. Doors open at 5 p.m., and the first whistle blows at 6 p.m., and tickets can be purchased online in advance or at the colosseum.