by Jim Almy
For someone who started out in Pathfinder Junior Derby “to scared to jam” Izzie Does It has come far enough that she scored 38 points for the Sockit Wenches last Saturday night in a bout against Grave Danger and was selected Most Valuable Player.
“I’ve been playing roller derby since I was ten years old. I was the first girl on Pathfinder Junior Derby (now Seattle Derby Brats) and joined Rat City in November, 2013,” she said. “I hardly ever jammed on the brats, I was better at blocking and too scared to jam.”
She explained that she grew up playing in halftime bouts for Rat City; attending adult bouts at the airplane hanger; and always wanting to play for and with the many players who coached her before she aged out.
Her other sport is skateboarding, an activity she said she has always loved.
Izzie said her biggest challenge is her predictability as a jammer and that she has been working on her jukes a lot more lately. Working on her game has made her a jammer to watch out for, a constant scoring threat. She has been polishing other parts of her game also, but offered no elaboration. “I can’t give up all my secrets,” she said.
Her name is Izzabella White. She grew up in West Seattle, where she currently lives. She is studying graphic design. Her nickname, Izzie, comes after an aunt who is also an “Izzie”.
Her list of career injuries sounds like the sort of damage anyone who makes a living jumping off cliffs might report. Except hers are from derby and generally fall in line with what other players’ claim. She’s broken a shoulder, a wrist, re-broken a hand, pulled hamstrings, busted up elbows, had her jaw knocked out of place, and ends the list with an “etc.” which probably includes a litany other players would be familiar with.
The selection as MVP last Saturday was her first as an adult skater.
In addition to what she called her predictability, Izzie faults herself for occasionally racking up penalties. She compensates with her strengths. “I’m agile, fast, and have strong legs,” she says.
Her family and friends come to most of her bouts. They are often joined by co-workers, customers, strangers and everyone else she tells about Rat City bouts. No doubt her crowd of followers will get to applaud more MVPs in the future.
For tickets to the next bout at KeyArena, go to the box office or online with TICKETMASTER