New MRDA Rankings: STL GateKeepers #2 Internationally

The first rankings of 2015 for the Men’s Roller Derby Association (MRDA) were released Wednesday and local representation was found near the top of hierarchy.

Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell

St. Louis-based GateKeepers Roller Derby (GKRD) is currently ranked second out of the 31 international leagues eligible for rank.

Three-time defending MRDA champions Your Mom Men’s Derby (YMMD), based in Des Moines, IA, retained its top rank.

The top two slots were the result of the finale at last October’s MRDA Championship in Tacoma, WA. In the gold medal game, YMMD bested St. Louis, 172-139. (See Arch City Sports’ recap from the MRDA 2014 title game RIGHT HERE.)

Both leagues will be competing at a pair of flat-track derby invitationals later this season: May’s “Spring Roll” in Ft. Wayne, IN and June’s “Midwest BrewHaha” in Milwaukee, WI. As scheduling for both events is still in the process of being finalized, it is uncertain if the top two leagues in the MRDA will face each other head-to-head at either invitational.

The top six positions in the latest rankings were based on finishes at last year’s MRDA post-season tournament. The New York Shock Exchange, bronze medalists in Tacoma, currently sits in third while Puget Sound (Portland, OR) is ranked fourth. London, UK’s Southern Discomfort and Texas Men’s Roller Derby occupy the fifth and sixth slots, respectively.

Photo Credit: Bob Dunnell

St. Louis (12-1 in 2014) is currently in the process of finalizing its A-team schedule for 2015. Home contests will take place at Midwest Sport Hockey in Ballwin, MO.

The MRDA consists of 56 flat-track men’s roller derby leagues internationally. The top teams at the end of the Fall 2015 rankings period will be invited to this year’s trophy tilt, “River City Rumble,” held in St. Louis October 17-18. (Read ACS’ story about the GateKeepers winning the MRDA Champs hosting bid RIGHT HERE.)

GateKeepers Roller Derby continues its three-team, local season series, “Turf Wars,” on Saturday, March 7 at Midwest Sport Hockey as the Riverfront Crimes meet the South Grand Slammers.

For more information on GKRD, go to stlgatekeepers.com.

MRDA RANKINGS (SPRING 2015)

RANK TEAM (+/NC/– FROM SEPT. 2014 RANKING)