The inaugural Roller Derby Double Header rolled into the Big Sandy Superstore Arena Saturday.

Four teams from around the area competed in two bouts.

The first bout was between the Chemical Valley Rollergirls of Charleston, West Virginia, and the Ohio Valley Roller Girls of St. Clairsville, Ohio.

In the first game of the year, the Ohio Valley Roller Girls took the win with a score of 331-44.

The second bout was Huntington’s own Jewel City Rollergirls versus the Appalachian Hell Betties of Athens, Ohio.

Kacie O’Neal, also known as Bad Wolf, who has been skating for the Jewel City Rollergirls since June, said she hoped the event would bring understanding of the sport to the Huntington community.

“Hopefully this event raises awareness that there is an awesome thing for women to be a part of, and men can do it too,” O’Neal said. “We have a men’s roller derby team that’s starting up. Roller derby is a fantastic community and it’s something that I wouldn’t trade for the world because it’s a sisterhood and a great outlet for built up aggression.”

The Jewel City Rollergirls took a nail-biting win over the Appalachian Hell Betties with a final score of 173-160.

Both teams skated to music by DJ Feminasty.

Spectators Hilary Brewster and Laura Sonderman were there to watch the action packed show.

“When I found out that there was going to be a local bout, I got really excited and knew I had to come,” Sonderman said.

Brewster is not a stranger to the sport of roller derby. She said she attempted try it out herself but found it was quite the challenge.

“When I first moved to Huntington last summer, I actually started working with the Jewel City Rollergirls thinking I was up for being a derby girl,” Brewster said. “It is such a steep learning curve that it takes so much time to really even be able to do the skating part, even if you’ve been on skates before. I just didn’t have the time to start being able to do it well.”

Although Brewster wasn’t able to commit to the sport due to her busy schedule, she has nothing but good thoughts about the Jewel City team members.

“They’re awesome and fantastic,” Brewster said. “The girls are so welcoming and so nice, and there’s an element of female empowerment.”

After the bouts, team members and friends headed over to Black Sheep Burrito and Brews to celebrate the first ever double header in Huntington.

Sofie Wachtmeister can be contacted at [email protected].