Gromshells Win Junior Roller Derby National Championships in Undefeated Season
The Santa Cruz Derby Groms female division charter team, the Gromshells, capped their first undefeated season in their 12 year history by winning the Junior Roller Derby Association National Championships hosted in Rockville, Maryland on July 15~16, 2023. The tournament featured the top four teams coming out of the JRDA playoffs tournaments hosted in June.
Santa Cruz was the top seed based on their performance at playoffs and results throughout the season. On the first day of the tournament, the Groms beat the fourth seed West Coast Junior Knockouts TKOs 348-18 in the semi-final enabling them to advance to the championship game against the former reigning champions, the second seed Rose City Rosebuds from Portland, Oregon. The Gromshells went on to defeat the Rosebuds, 121-100 in an epic re-match of last year’s championship game where the Gromshells took 2nd place.
The Gromshells have qualified for JRDA National Championships every season since 2015 and have made it to the championship game every competitive season since 2017, for a JRDA record of 5 appearances in the final game. With the addition of this year’s gold medal, they have now earned 2 gold medals and 3 silver. This championship win was a first for the current team members, with all former gold medal winners having aged-out of junior roller derby in previous seasons. This season’s 15-0 record was a team best, not only for the number of games played, but it was also their first undefeated season. They defeated 8 different teams during their 15 game season competing at 7 tournaments hosted across 4 cities in California, Washington, and Maryland. They outperformed opponents by a ratio of 6.5:1, having scored a total of 4058 points while holding opponents to a total of 620 points, outscoring them by 3438.
Throughout the rest of the year the team will be working hard at refining their game, bringing up new talent, and continuing the pursuit of World Gromination during the 2024 season.
Santa Cruz was the top seed based on their performance at playoffs and results throughout the season. On the first day of the tournament, the Groms beat the fourth seed West Coast Junior Knockouts TKOs 348-18 in the semi-final enabling them to advance to the championship game against the former reigning champions, the second seed Rose City Rosebuds from Portland, Oregon. The Gromshells went on to defeat the Rosebuds, 121-100 in an epic re-match of last year’s championship game where the Gromshells took 2nd place.
The Gromshells have qualified for JRDA National Championships every season since 2015 and have made it to the championship game every competitive season since 2017, for a JRDA record of 5 appearances in the final game. With the addition of this year’s gold medal, they have now earned 2 gold medals and 3 silver. This championship win was a first for the current team members, with all former gold medal winners having aged-out of junior roller derby in previous seasons. This season’s 15-0 record was a team best, not only for the number of games played, but it was also their first undefeated season. They defeated 8 different teams during their 15 game season competing at 7 tournaments hosted across 4 cities in California, Washington, and Maryland. They outperformed opponents by a ratio of 6.5:1, having scored a total of 4058 points while holding opponents to a total of 620 points, outscoring them by 3438.
Throughout the rest of the year the team will be working hard at refining their game, bringing up new talent, and continuing the pursuit of World Gromination during the 2024 season.
2023 Season Results
Watch the Championship Game
|