Wasatch Roller Derby (WRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Founded in 2008, Wasatch is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).[1]
Metro area | Salt Lake City, UT |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Founded | 2008 |
Teams | Midnight Terror (A team) Black Diamond Divas Hot Wheelers |
Track type(s) | Flat |
Venue | Derby Depot |
Affiliations | WFTDA |
Website | wasatchrollerderby |
Originally emerging from the Salt City Derby Girls,[2] the league's formation was led by Lacey "Honey" Peterson and Brandi "Medusa" Olsen.[3] The first public Wasatch bout was held April 25, 2009 at Hollywood Connection in West Valley City.[4]
Wasatch joined the WFTDA Apprentice Program in October 2009,[5] and were accepted as full WFTDA members in June 2010.[6] By January 2012, they were described as the biggest league in Salt Lake City.[7] In 2013 the WFTDA transitioned from a region based ranking system to an overall ranking system. WRD entered the new ranking at 20th in March 2013.[8]
The league founded the Wasatch Junior Rollers, a junior roller derby team, and have close links with the co-ed MRDA league, Wasatch Men's Roller Derby.[9] As of 2019, Wasatch Roller Derby features two home teams and one travel team.[9]
Wasatch Roller Derby regularly raises funds for charitable organizations including the March of Dimes and the American Diabetes Association.[10]
Wasatch first qualified for WFTDA Playoffs in 2012, as the ninth seed at the WFTDA Western Regional Tournament, where they finished in ninth place by defeating Arizona Roller Derby 245-134.[11]
In 2013, the WFTDA restructured its playoff system, and Wasatch qualified for Division 1 Playoffs in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the seventh seed, and finished in seventh place by beating Cincinnati Rollergirls 275-95.[12]
In 2014, Wasatch hosted a Division 1 Playoff at the Salt Palace.[13] WRD competed at the tournament as the eighth seed and finished in eighth place after losing to No Coast Derby Girls 169-166.[14] No Coast had been the intended host league but their venue plans fell through.[15]
In 2015, Wasatch dropped down to Division 2 Playoffs as the fifth seed at Detroit, and finished in fifth place by defeating Bear City 203-152.[16]
In 2016, Wasatch was the third seed for the Lansing Division 2 Playoff, and just missed the bronze medal with a 197-194 loss to Charm City Rollergirls.[17]
Wasatch returned to Division 1 Playoffs in 2017 as the twelfth seed in Dallas, but lost both of their games, 415-68 to Atlanta Rollergirls[18] and 270-77 to Queen City Roller Girls.[19]
Season | Final ranking[20] | Playoffs |
---|---|---|
2011 | 17 W[21] | DNQ |
2012 | 9 W[22] | 9 W[11] |
2013 | 23 WFTDA[23] | 7 D1[12] |
2014 | 33 WFTDA[24] | 8 D1[14] |
2015 | 52 WFTDA[25] | 5 D2[16] |
2016 | 51 WFTDA[26] | 3 D2[17] |
2017 | 57 WFTDA[27] | CR D1[19] |
2018 | 81 WFTDA[28] | DNQ |
2019 | 81 WFTDA[29] |