Micro Bruiser- 12oz

Guns N Rollers

Hometown: Battle Ground, WA
Joined RCR: September 11, 2009 
Drink of choice: microbrews, of course!
Derby wife: no proposals yet, but a few steadies ;)
Derby nemesis: any long-legged b...locker who gets in my way
Theme Song: "Have a Drink On Me"- ACDC
Day job: bank teller

So tell me how you got started with RCR?

I had a coworker (Rhoda Killer, retired Heartless Heather) tell me to meet her that night and to bring rollerskates for rolr derby.  I didn't have any skates, so I didn't go, but she went and got some skates and got on a team.  Back then they didn't require tryouts.  I watched Rhoda skate for a couple of seasons, kicking myself for not going with her.  Later I met another coworker who was a volunteer for RCR.  We used to go to Late Skate, and one time she mentioned that tryouts were coming up and asked if I was going.  I said I would go if she went, thinking she'd say no.  But she said yes!  So I found some skates at Goodwill (Sketchers-style Britney Spears skates- oh yeah!) and met her at the hangar.  Back then the media used to show up to tryouts.  My Britney Spears skates weren't working out so well in the tryouts, so Punchkin let me use hers, but I still didn't make it onto Fresh Meat.  My friend did make it- I think having the proper skates probably helped- but I still had so much fun!  You couldn't smack the smile off my face!  I bought new skates at Oaks Park that night.  I tried out again a few months later and on September 11, 2007 I made it onto Fresh Meat.  I've been busting my ass ever since!  Oh, and Sugar & Vice still gives me crap about those Britney Spears skates!

Your name is awesome!  How did you come up with it?

I love my name!  I wanted something that represented me and my size.  Something my boys could tell their teachers.  So one night my husband and I were sharing a beer and talking about crappy beers.  And he said "that's a name: Micro Bruise." And I said "Micro Bruiser!"  Most know me as Micro, some as Bruiser.  But Cadillac calls me Bru!  And my number (12oz) is cuz microbrews come in 12oz bottles.

You're pretty tiny.  Will you tell us how tall you are?

I'm not tiny, just short.  4'7" without skates.  With skates on I'm 10' tall and bulletproof.

Did you skate much before roller derby?

I loved skating as a kid, but I grew up in Battle Ground, WA, where there are a ton of long gravel driveways, but no sidewalks for skating.  There were a few skate nights through school.  But then a few years later I got to hit the rink again with my boys.  I've been taking them since they could walk!  They're pretty good, I'd like to get them into rexing or something.

What position do you enjoy playing most?

I try to be flexible in all positions.  Whichever one takes out their jammer!

What do you like to do when you're not keepin' it low for RCR?

I love hanging out with my family- Mr. Bruiser and I have two boys.  We go to a lot of concerts together.  There's nothing like live music.  My family is great; I'm lucky to have such a supportive family.

Any gnarly derby-related injuries?

When I first started derby I got a nasty tailbone injury learning to jump on skates.  It took me out for a while.  That's why I wear crash-pads to protect my ass...ets.

What are you most looking forward to this season?

Season 6 is gonna be awesome!  Guns N Rollers are bad ass and will be totally rockin' it and taking the #1 spot!

What are some of your proudest derby accomplishments?

Well I was lucky enough to get to skate with the Axles of Annihilation in August and September of this last season.  I was filling in for Joyride, who got hurt, which sucked, but it was awesome to get to skate on travel team!  Also, I have a pretty good comeback story.  I was the first skater ever to be voted off of Fresh Meat cuz I was on it for so long without getting drafted.  The league voted me off in April 2009 after I'd been on Fresh Meat for over a year and a half.  I did the July bootcamp and tried out again, and got back onto Fresh Meat in August.  There was this new skater from a different league, Mel Mangles, in Fresh Meat with me, and she kept telling me to keep at it and not quit.  I was like, I'm not going anywhere!  It meant so much to me, because she didn't even know a thing about me, but she was encouraging me to stick with it.  December 22, 2009 I was finally drafted onto the best team in North and South America- Guns N Rollers!  I'm constantly busting my ass to make them proud!

Anything else you'd like your fans to know?

Just that I love RCR fans!  I love how excited they are by the skaters.  We can totally feel that energy.  I also think fans would be suprised that I still get all star-struck by the veteran skaters!  I love Cadillac, and Wreck Deckard is awesome.  Oh, and I love Layla Smackdown.  And Goodie Two Skates!  I can't believe I almost forgot her!  She's amazing too.

Come see Micro Bruiser and the Guns N Rollers at the Season 6 Opening Scramble at Memorial Coliseum January 15, 2010