We at The Beehive dig the Smog City Roller Grrls, there's no denying it. So leading up to the Grrls' bout this Saturday against the Prison City Derby Dames, we're introducing you to a different Smog City girl each day.

Our series starts with Toni 2 Tone.

VITALS
Real Name: Becky Larson
Age: 29
Position: Pivot/Blocker
Years Experience: 2+

QUESTIONS
When and why did you become a Roller Grrl?
Well, April of '06 I was having a happy-hour cocktail and decided to tag along with a friend to roller derby practice. It was Smog City's second practice. I fell in love immediately.

What's the meaning behind your roller derby name?
I am a huge fan of ska music, and two tone is a large part of that scene. It just seemed fitting to me.

What are the most challenging and most rewarding parts of roller derby?
Wow, there are so many aspects to roller derby many of which are both rewarding and challenging. One of the biggest challenges for me is finding the time for everything that goes along with this sport. Practice, bouts, benefits, fund-raisers, charity work are part of being part of this organization. It's a full time job. It becomes very difficult to incorporate all of it into everyday life. But with those challenges, I find it incredibly rewarding to be part of this amazing group of people. It's awesome to know that you can set your mind to something and make it happen. Just strapping on the skates and finishing practice most times is challenging, but I have never left an event of SCRG not feeling proud of myself and all the women that I skate with.

What other sports do you/would you play?
I have always played sports. I have played softball since I was 5. In fact the first year I wasn't on a city league, was my first year of derby. Somehow I couldn't find the time to play something I've known all my life. Roller derby is like that -- once you're in, you are in.

What's your life like outside of roller derby?
Is there life outside of derby? I have an amazing supportive family and work full-time as a manager in retail.

What kind of reaction do you get from people when they find out you're involved in roller derby?
It really depends on how well the person knows me. Close friends and family weren't surprised at all that I went full force into this. I think the best part is telling people I work with. They see me as this nice, mellow person who works hard and kind of keeps to herself, when they find out they are a little taken back. I love the looks on their faces, like they just met a whole new person, a little glimpse in the real Becky.

In your opinion, what's the best thing about one of your bouts?
By far and away the fans. It is the most amazing feeling to skate out to hundreds of screaming people, it's the most incredible rush.

To what do you attribute the team's massive following?
Well, we work very hard to promote ourselves and put on a good show. I think most of time people just want to see something different, not really expecting much. Then watching the girls hit each other, fall to the concrete floor, pop back up and skate on for more is just more than they are ready for, and then they want more.

It seems like many of the Smog City girls have their own individual looks. What's your style?
I paint my face with two-tone checkers. I'm more into the game than the dress. Surprisingly enough I am rather shy, but somehow on game day I can pull on those fishnets and short shorts, and become someone beyond Becky.

What's the worst injury you've gotten in roller derby?
I cracked my tail bone early on in our first season. I didn't sit right for months.

Who talks the best smack on the team?
Whatever do you mean? We don't talk smack. We are sweet little angels!

Do you have male roller derby groupies?
Yeah, it's pretty funny how many MySpace friend requests I get after a bout. I had one guy that said he "collected derby girls" ... Strange, very strange.

Do you find yourself throwing elbows in line at Starbucks sometimes?
Sometimes a girl just needs her coffee, throwin' bows to get it is not something I'm above.

What's it like after bouts when people want your autograph?
Absolutely surreal. There aren't words to encompass the feeling you get when you have a mom come up to and ask if you will take a picture with her son because "you're his favorite." Just an amazing feeling.

(Top photo by Amy Oakley)

COMING TUESDAY
Meet SCRG's Hari Kari

BOUT INFO