The Culver City-based Angel City Derby Girls (ACDG) recently announced third-year skater Chica Go Lightly as Skater of the Month for the month of May.
The Texas-born, Oklahoma-raised blonde is a fan favorite in large part because of her speed and agility on the track – attributes that have quickly moved her through the ranks to become one of the go-to jammers for the Hollywood Scarlets.
“My skating career started in Seattle after Jay, my husband, filmed a Rat City bout,” Chica said. “He came home and told me this was what I needed to do. I looked up how to start, and joined a group called PFM [Potential Fresh Meat]. Since then I was hooked.”
Off the track, Chica is designs fashion accessories and has worked as both sponsorship director and membership manager for the league. She and a couple of other skaters recently saved a dog that had been hit by several cars and required surgery for a broken leg and pelvis. She and her derby sisters raised money to pay for the dog’s medical bills (with some help from her derby sisters) and today Pegasus is healthy and seems happy.
Lately, Chica demonstrates her love and dedication by developing the future stars of the sport, working as a coach of the Fresh Meat squad. Because May has been without a scheduled match, it has been a month of heavy training, and Chica has been integral in continuing the growth of ACDG by getting the Fresh Meat girls derby-ready.
“Roller derby has not only gotten me fit and healthy, but it has taught me so many life lessons and skills like leadership, humility, teamwork, patience and sacrifice,” she said.