Medical Lake is known for producing good high school athletes, particularly in track, cross country, basketball and baseball.
However, there are a couple local kids in the city who are making waves in roller derby.
Medical Lake High School student Bristol Grundstrom and her younger sister, Daytona Grundstrom, skate for The Pixies, an Inland Northwest Roller Derby team comprised of girls from Eastern Washington, Idaho and Montana. The sisters, along with the rest of the Pixies, will compete in the Junior Roller Derby Association championships, July 14-16 in Loveland, Colo.
The Grundstrom sisters got their derby start after they were given a flyer for the Pixies during a parade. They, along with their sister Tabatha, later watched the movie "Whip It," then attended a practice and from there, fell in love with the sport.
"At first we didn't know how to skate and we had to build up our leg muscles and get used to it," Bristol Grundstrom said.
While Bristol Grundstrom, 11 years old at the time, began skating for the Pixies right away, Daytona Grundstrom, age 8, was "kind of the team's mascot" before she joined the Sprites, which is the team's training program for 6-10 year olds. Like all athletes who go through the program, she learned fundamentals and climbed her way up the ranks before she became a Pixie. Over time, both girls have developed their skills and track awareness, growing into blockers for the team, but they can also be jammers who score points during bouts.
Both sisters have endured bumps and injuries during their time as Pixies such as the time Bristol Grundstrom kneepad pushed into her kneecap after she fell on the track.
As for what they enjoy about derby, Daytona Grundstrom said there's the thrill that derby brings while her sister added that they also love the team's family atmosphere.
Coached by Amanda "Blue" Abrams and Troy "Roland Destroy" Roland, the Pixies started eight years ago as the Lilac City Pixies, a junior team affiliated with the Lilac City Roller Girls, and began skating under the freeway in downtown Spokane before they found a practice facility in Spokane Valley. In 2014, the team ended their affiliation with the Lilac City Roller Girls.
Last year, the Pixies finished third in the JRDA national championships all female division - earning the moniker of "the Bad News Bears of roller derby."
During the 2016 Northwest Regional championships that year both sisters experienced what they described as their favorite moment in roller derby so far. Daytona Grundstrom was a substitute skater for another team and skated against her sister and the Pixies. It was also at regionals when, Daytona Grundstrom experienced her first "really hard hit," when one of the blockers landed a blow on her chest.
"I flew back, then got up and finished the jam and went back to the bench after it was finished," Daytona Grundstrom said.
Like all derby athletes, the girls have roller derby names. Daytona Grundstrom is known as Vampire Bunny - which she said came from her liking vampires and bunnies.
Bristol Grundstrom's moniker, Blackheart BlockHer, which is her second name, came from a combination of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts and a play on the word "blocker."
Once Bristol Grundstrom turns 18, she plans on joining the Spokannibals, a team Abrams skates for out of Spokane Valley.
Daytona Grundstrom said she wants to get into refereeing and has to pass her testing before she can wear the striped shirt. She also plans on competing in roller derby while she's in college.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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