ROCK SPRINGS — Hot dame! Sweetwater County Roller Derby is back this Saturday, July 19 for another evening of body checks and hip whips as the Bitter Sweet Bombshells take on the Jackson Hole Juggernauts in a themed bout entitled “Superhero Smack Down”. The bout starts at 6P.M. at the Rock Springs Recreation Center.

Tickets for the bout are on sale at the Rock Springs and Green River Chambers of Commerce, Graffiti Records, from the Bombshell team members and online at Brown Paper Tickets. Tickets cost 10 dollars in advance and 12 dollars at the door. Children 10 and younger are admitted free of charge with an adult. This month the Bombshells will salute some true local heroes by donating fifty percent of proceeds from their ticket sales to the Boys and Girls Club of Sweetwater County. The Bombshells were able to donate 1,500 dollars to the Red Desert Humane Society after their first home bout and, according to Bench Coach Miranda Riggs, they hope to be able to support the Boys and Girls Club on the same level.

The Bombshells have had a tough but rewarding season according to newly appointed head coach, Nicholas Riggs. Riggs said “These women never quit fighting no matter what or who they are up against! At the Wyoming Derby Cup the Bombshells competed against the Naughty Pines Derby Dames, one of the top seated teams in Wyoming, and showed a lot of grit. The Pines have at least twice as many players as we do not to mention years of experience. During the second half of our bout with the Pines, 2 of our players fouled out and 1 was taken out due to injury. We were down to 5 women, the required number of players, when Jedi Knightmare’s skate broke! We had to play a few jams without 5 players on the track until she was able to change into an extra pair of Eyre Raid’s skates. This team never thought of forfeiting the game once, the 5 remaining players took on the Pines, jam after jam!”

Grant Hodecker, Head Coach of the A’Salt Creek Roller Girls from Casper, said “The Bombshells are the type of team every team in the state should be watching.” Although the Sweetwater County team is small and new, they have begun making a name for themselves. One of the Bombshell’s jammers, Medora, Medorable the Horrible, West was voted MVP Jammer for the entire state at last month’s Wyoming Derby Cup.

When asked how they feel about playing the Juggernauts the Bombshells responded by saying they were eager to play another developing team. The Juggernauts, who came onto the derby scene in 2012 only have 1 year more experience than the Bombshells who started practices in May 2013. Britney, Eyre Raid, Lewis said “We’ve had to get used to playing with significantly fewer players than our opponents and the same will be true with the Juggs this Saturday. Although our team is small, we all train to play every position, this is an edge we have that larger teams don’t; we are able to adapt because we’ve had to all season.”

Coach Riggs added the team is excited to host another bout at the Rec Center and noted that several “kinks” have been worked out since the first bout including projecting a larger score board and working to use the sound system more effectively. Riggs said “Roller derby is an intense sport with a lot going on at once and we are committed to giving attendees the best experience possible. “

Flat track roller derby is an aggressive, full contact sport that requires intense training and strategizing. A bout is played by two teams in two, thirty minute halves. Each half is filled with short rounds or “jams” in which the scoring player for each team, the “jammer”, attempts to lap members of the opposing team. The teams assist their own jammer in getting through a “pack” of four opposing blockers while simultaneously blocking the other team’s jammer. All players play in the same direction on the track and are essentially playing both offence and defense at all times.

For more information about Sweetwater County Roller Derby, the upcoming roller derby bout, or for information about becoming a player, official, or referee, visit: www.bittersweetbombshells.com