Marissa “Smacklemore” Stocker (white jersey), local roller derby player, blocks her opponents.
A Raymond athlete “couldn’t stop smiling” when she found out she was skating on up to Team Canada.
Marissa “Smacklemore” Stocker, an Alberta roller derby player, said her sister broke the news with a big grin and Canadian flag cupcakes.
Stocker had been waiting impatiently for her try-out results up until that point and was ecstatic to have made the cut.
“I’ve wanted to be on Team Canada for two years,” Stocker said.
Smacklemore credited her accomplishments to hard work and a great support system. The young athlete said that her sister, Madison “Mad-Dawg” Stocker, was her rock, and going for her goals would’ve been more difficult without her encouragement.
“My nerves immediately went away as soon as I saw her,” Stocker said, recounting moments before her try-outs. “It meant so much to have her there, supporting me.”
Even with the unwavering aid of her family and friends, Stocker said Team Canada try-outs were the hardest thing she’s physically had to do.
According to Stocker, the try-outs included a long obstacle course that had other competitors heaving as they went.
Try-outs took place this past summer in Chilliwack, BC. Coaches announced the top 25 players this week.
Stocker skates as part of the adult team in the Lethbridge Roller Derby Guild. And last year she skated with the Western Canadian all-star team at a tournament in the US.
“A lot of it comes from being able to separate myself from the mind games my competitors want to play,” Stocker said, speaking of her success.
The blonde said she prepares for a match by researching the other team’s weaknesses and doesn’t let anything they say get in her head.
Caroline Reimer, an LRDG coach, said that Stocker’s success comes as no surprise.
“We couldn’t be more proud of her. Smack [Stocker] will represent our league, city, province, and nation very well,” Reimer said.
Stocker is currently focusing on keeping her body in top condition for the second round of try-outs in April.
Team Canada will cut at least five players from their roster for the 2018 World Cup in July.
