A few months after moving to Seymour in 2018, Heidi Gundle hadn’t made many friends and was staying home most of the time, so she thought it was time to find a new hobby.
Wanting to get back into shape, the 26-year-old decided to join a health club, which is where she met a high-energy and hilarious woman who called herself Twitch.
“I heard her talk about roller derby, and I finally got the courage to ask her about it,” Gundle said. “I thought there was no way Indiana could be that cool to have this sport, but it turns out they have quite a few derby teams.”
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Thanks to Annette “Twitch Blade” Deaton’s advice, Gundle tried out for the Terrorz roller derby team shortly after and made the team.
Gundle said she joined because of Twitch and loves her dearly for introducing her to the sport.
Deaton said they met at Total Fitness in Columbus, and she told Gundle she would be a perfect fit for the roller derby team.
“I encouraged her to give it a try, and she did,” Deaton said. “Now, she’s a very important part of the team, and I believe she enjoys it. The ladies are all amazing.”
This is Deaton’s third season with the Terrorz. She is originally from Germany and moved to the Columbus area with her husband, who was in the military.
“Ever since I saw the Ellen Page movie ‘Whip It,’ I thought it made roller derby look so cool,” Deaton said. “My now-17-year-old daughter thought we should go watch a bout.”
Deaton said they did and it looked fun, and even though she was hesitant about her age, she showed up at a practice one day and loved it.
Each member of the Terrorz has a roller derby name, and Gundle’s is Soul Crusher.
“After my 20 practices and getting voted into the league, that’s when I asked my fellow teammates for help with a name,” Gundle said. “Honestly, it’s a perfect name for me.”
Gundle said she chose Soul Crusher because she is a redhead, so she’s “soulless,” as the expression goes.
“For the crusher part, I am kind of like the hulk, but instead of smashing everything, I crush things,” Gundle said. “Being a member of the team is the best thing since sliced bread.”
Gundle said most recently, she lived in Austin before moving to Seymour, and then while growing up, her family moved around a lot. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky.
“I spent most of my childhood in Harrisburg, North Carolina, and then graduated from Charlestown High School in Indiana,” Gundle said. “My nearest family member is my mother, who still lives in Charlestown, about an hour away.”
Gundle learned to roller skate when she was young and loved it.
“I had roller blades and would beg my mom to take me to the local skating rink,” she said. “Sadly, over time, I stopped, but now, here I am crushing it.”
Gundle said her Terrorz teammates pretty much kicked her out of her shell, and they were all so welcoming right from the start.
“This sport is definitely for someone who feels lost, and we’re all lost here,” Gundle said. “We’re also mad and crazy and we have fun, but we find each other, so it’s pretty empowering. The women that I do roller derby with are strong, inspiring and just plain-out warriors.”
Gundle said at every practice, their coach, Duree Brown, challenges them and teaches the team new ways to block, among other tips. Brown also is a speed skating veteran.
“No matter how good someone thinks they are, there is always room to grow, and our coach has always been the one who takes great pride in challenging us,” Gundle said.
She is an offensive blocker, and there are three other blockers and a jammer.
“The jammers work better in chaos because in a cluster type of situation, they can get through unnoticed,” Gundle said.
Gundle believes being on the team is definitely good for confidence. She said they encourage and support each other and push one another to be the best person they can be.
“Over the past year, I have noticed that my confidence level has boosted tremendously,” Gundle said. “Roller derby doesn’t discriminate, and it doesn’t matter your size, color, sexual orientation.”
Another Terrorz player from Seymour is Mariah Jo “Ruthless Riah” Fischer, who broke her ankle at the end of last season and is currently still out until she is 100%, Gundle said.
Also from Seymour is Darla “Em Mortal” Rorick. She said she joined the team because she wanted some kind of fun activity for exercise and a little competitiveness.
Brie “Zombrie Dust” Newton is originally from Seymour but currently lives in the Columbus area.
“I joined a few months before Heidi did, and this is my second season with the Terrorz,” said Newton, a 2006 graduate of Seymour High School.
Newton hadn’t skated since she was around 12 but decided to go a boot camp that the roller derby team conducted in 2018.
“I was kind of nervous at the camp and at the beginning stayed close to the rails, but as time passed, I picked it up,” Newton said. “I’ve grown so much in my skills now, and I stay on the team because of the accountability and the team camaraderie.”
Gundle said all that matters is that you can at least learn to skate, be 18 or older and have health insurance, and the No. 1 rule is no drama.
“If you think you’re interested in trying out roller derby, do it,” Gundle said. “Never go through life with regret, so at least come to one of our practices and give it a try.”
The team’s season just got underway, and the sport is very family-oriented. They usually have special activities for the kids during halftime.
“You will see two teams facing each other taking this sport very passionately but respectfully,” Gundle said. “We don’t go out there wanting anyone hurt, so if someone does, then both teams are impacted.”
Gundle doesn’t spend all of her time on skates. She has a job delivering diesel engine parts for companies around the area for VoMac Truck Sales and Service Inc.
“I started working as a lube technician, and I fell in love with working on vehicles,” Gundle said. “My interest grew, and I wanted to challenge myself by working on diesels.”
Gundle said there are women from all walks of life on the Terrorz team, like nurses, engineers, mothers and delivery people.
“Any ladies who might be interested in roller derby are welcome to come to a practice and see what we are about,” Gundle said. “Practices are held on Wednesday evenings, and the time varies on Sundays.”
The Terrorz practice and have home bouts at Columbus Skateland, 2660 N. Talley Road, Columbus.
Established in 2011, Terrorz roller derby is Columbus’ only all-female, flat track, skater owned and operated roller derby league.
The goal has always been to bring roller derby to women in the area and show them, no matter their age, that they are strong and independent in addition to balancing work, family and social lives.
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"The women that I do roller derby with are strong, inspiring and just plain-out warriors."
Heidi Gundle of Seymour, a member of the Terrorz roller derby team
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The Terrorz Roller Derby League 2020 schedule
Today: Terrorz at Circle City in Indianapolis
March 28: Terrorz vs. BBRG
May 2: Terrorz vs. Lafayette
May 16: Terrorz at Muncie
June 6: Terrorz vs. Dire Skates
June 20: Terrorz at BBRG in Covington, Kentucky
Aug. 22: Terrorz vs. Interleague (tentative)
Home bout location: Columbus Skateland, 2660 N. Talley Raod Columbus
Advance tickets: $8
Tickets at the door: $10 (cash or credit); free for ages 10 and under
Doors open: 6 p.m.
Bouts begin: 6:30 p.m.
Information: Visit terrorzrollerderby.com or facebook.com/terrorzrollerderby or email [email protected]
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