Three members of the Candy Crushers junior roller derby team were in Lincoln, Nebraska earlier this month for the Roller Derby Junior Olympic Games, where they got to represent Canada and take on some of the top teams from the U.S.
Duncan’s Lexi Corby, a.k.a. Goldie Lex, suited up for True North at the Junior Olympics, while her Candy Crusher teammates Madison Jumeau of Duncan, a.k.a. Mad Hatter, and Linda Matheson of Nanaimo, a.k.a. Lightning Striker, skated for Team Alberta/B.C.
The two Canadian teams ended up squaring off in their final bout at the event, with True North winning a nail-biter 158-113 to finish seventh. Team Alberta/B.C. finished eighth.
“It has been an amazing experience,” Goldie Lex said. “I have made many new friendships and have learned so much skating with and against such incredible talent. I love derby and I am very proud to represent Canada once again. I hope to bring back some of what I have learned to my team, and I plan to train hard so I can make the next Olympic Team and World Cup.”
In addition to captaining the Candy Crushers, the 16-year-old Goldie Lex is also the youngest member of the co-ed adult Harbour City Rollers out of Nanaimo, and is involved in coaching, refereeing, officiating and teaching. In 2015, she skated with Team Canada at the World Cup.
Goldie Lex’s mom and Candy Crushers coach, Kelly Corby, a.k.a. PainKillHer, was in Nebraska for the Junior Olympics, and was impressed with the talent of the U.S. teams.
“The American teams are fierce competitors,” she said. “The level of play was at the highest calibre these kids have ever faced. Roller derby is quickly growing in Canada and the experience, skills and knowledge these kids picked up from playing such amazing competitors will only help it grow more.”