‘Year of the Warrior’

In 2004, Kansas City roller derby consisted of a couple of rink rats skating in a parking lot. In the past three years, though, that small band of bruising women has revived the retro sport, making their four-team roller derby league a major sports draw that fills Hale Arena with thousands of screaming fans.

Now, after just three seasons of sharpening their skates in local play, the Kansas City Roller Warriors are national champions.