By Laurie Lechlitner
InkFreeNews

Brittany Lucas has been skating in the adult roller derby league for 12 years. She also coaches the junior league, K County Roller Derby, at Eastlake roller rink in Warsaw. She invites young people to visit at 10 a.m. Sundays. The gear is supplied, and Lucas will even teach visitors how to skate. Photo by Brittany Lucas.

ETNA GREEN — “I love kids,” stated Brittany Lucas, Etna Green. “They’re an important part of my world. They also keep me young.

“When I heard that Bobbi Tevis, the coach who founded the K County Roller Derby junior team, was retiring, I didn’t want to see a whole group of young people displaced and hurting. I decided to take over as coach. It’s now my passion.”

Lucas has always loved roller skating. “Every Friday night my dad took me and my siblings to Eastlake roller rink in Warsaw.”

She started her own roller derby career skating on the adult team, Lake City Roller Dolls. “When I was skating at Eastlake in Warsaw, the Roller Dolls showed up with a banner. I went to a practice that following Tuesday and never turned back.

“I adopted the handle Buckwyld Barbie, skating with the Roller Dolls until they folded. Now I’m part of the adult co-ed team, Fort Wayne Roller Derby. I’ve been skating in the adult league for 12 years.”

She’s been coaching the junior league, K County Roller Derby, for four years. “My two sons Noah and Eli are also on the team. Eli, 17, has competed for six years. This will be his last year in the junior league.

“Thirteen-year-old Noah has been involved for three years. My nephew is also part of our team.” Lucas’ sister competed in the adult league for 10 years. “I guess it’s a family sport,” she added.

“There are so many kids who don’t fit into the cookie cutter world. But we accept anyone. We have some kids who are super popular. And then there are the kids who are really shy in most social circles. I love watching the shy ones get involved and come out of their shell. Also, there are no size requirements. We work with kids of all heights and weights.”

The kids work together on projects. “We’ve helped friends with their Christmas and bills. We’ve also had yard sales and bake sales to raise money for our team. It’s really a community.”

Lucas said the old roller derby style of women playing rough-and-tumble may have been entertaining in old videos of the game. But now it’s more of a sport. “We build athletes, increasing their strength, coordination and confidence. There’s also a team camaraderie that develops close friendships.”

There are four blockers and one jammer on each team. The jammer tries to get through the pack of blockers, and they get a point for each blocker they successfully pass. Although the blockers are not allowed to use their forearms, they can become quite intimidating with their shoulders, hips and buttocks.

“Yes, we have a few scrapes and bruises on the team. But, actually, playing is a lot of fun. It certainly gives the kids a place to call home.”

Lucas invites kids to come and try out roller derby at Eastlake at 10 a.m. Sundays. “We’ll supply the gear and even teach them to skate.”

She’s the production manager for Kitchens to Go, Etna Green. She and her husband Michael have been together 20 years. The family has two dogs and two cats. Lucas loves photography and is involved in wedding and event planning.