Off duty: Sergeants reach first roller derby Published Sept. 9, 2015 By Airman 1st Class Erica Holbert-Siebert 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Master Sgt. Christina Henderlong and Tech. Sgt. Danielle Long played in their first roller derby game after months of training. They laced up their skates to head out onto the chalk-lined rink. They were there to show everyone--the crowd, the opposing team and their fellow derby girls--that they were there to win. They work as flight attendants together, Henderlong for the 54th Airlift Squadron, and Long, for the 73rd Airlift Squadron. In the world of Roller Derby though, they are known as "Fatally Fun Sized" and "Mile High Moxy," respectively. Their name on the Confluence Crush team is unique to them throughout the entire Women's Flat Track Derby Association, the governing body of the sport. It was their first time playing the position of jammer for their team in a real bout, in front of a cheering crowd. Their team relied solely on them as a jammer to lap the opposing team and break through the competitor line to gain points. But Henderlong said she didn't hear the crowd so much. "I was just zoning in on what I needed to do to help my team score, and stay on my feet. I can't wait to do it again. I'm hooked. My experience was amazing. It was nerve wracking leading up to it, but once I was out there it was pure adrenaline." Long's experience echoed with her friend, even to the point of disbelief that she actually played in her first game. "It was absolutely nerve wracking but fun to be out there. You just know that you have to push your way to the front of the line, especially being the jammer. You're working with a whole new opponent, and you have no idea how they are going to react to you being there. You only train with your team, so you learn those moves and options available to you, but in a real game you're playing with a different opponent each time. It really is a new game every time you step on to the rink," she said. On their team, dubbed the Smitten Kittens, they play as the 'B team', while the 'A team' is the Heartbreakers, with even more strenuous physical requirements, such as skating 27 laps around the rink in five minutes. The Heartbreakers also get to travel for competitions. "Your team gives you a lot of encouragement and support, but the pressure definitely gets to you, and you choose to either rise to the occasion or not. No matter how strong you think you are, sometimes staring down a blocker that you know is gunning for you can make someone wilt. So, some days are good, others you find another way to make your skills great for the team." Riding the curves, gaining speed and breaking through the opposing team all required practiced skill from Henderlong and Long, but Henderlong said all the practice they put in paid off. "I was nervous, so it would be hard to remember everything, and I am sure I forgot things, but our training was very thorough and they made sure we were safe and skilled and proficient before letting us go out there," said Henderlong," Luckily, we didn't get hurt and both Moxy (Danielle) and I scored points and represented our team well. I am proud of us and where we have come since December." Long said, "I have never felt so empowered and humbled at the same time. Now the mountain looks larger than anticipated. There is more training, and more pushing that has to happen to be better and stronger than your last bout." If interested in donning the helmet and knee pads of a roller derby girl, check out the Confluence Crush Facebook page or their website, www.confluencecrush.com.