Ms CheeVS Maehem #71
Meet one of Gapland’s more mature players: Chris Mitschke. Clocking in at her mid-forties, she has never let her age slow her down one bit in this crazy sport. She is proud to compete in roller derby, but has gotten a hard time from people in the past. Do not underestimate her due to her age or size (she is also one of our slightest skaters).
Maehem joined Gapland in our second season, after hearing about it from some of her students (including our own Crystal Brawl’s daughter). She currently teaches grade 3 in Langenburg, where she now lives, although she grew up in Saskatoon.
Her derby name is pronounced ‘Mischevious Maehem,’ and stems from her middle name, Mae. She chose the Ms. CheeVS part, hoping that she would be underestimated. Her number, 71, was mirrored after former Saskatchewan Roughrider, Bobby Jurasin. “He was a force on the Riders for many years and I want to be a force on our team,” she says. Maehem also wears his characteristic Rising Sun bandana under her helmet.
Maehem’s goal for this season is to become more agile on her skates. She also wants to maintain better contact with all her derby friends during the off-season. In the 2012 season, Chris was presented with the ‘Brave Little Toaster’ award. This resulted from her speedy recovery after an early-season broken tailbone. She was back on skates within four weeks, and bouting in eight. She is no stranger to injury, also receiving a broken nose at our last home bout in 2012, the Harvest Haymaker. What she lacks in size, she makes up for in grit, heart, and sheer determination.
Being her usual positive self, Maehem found it difficult to chose one singular career highlight. Learning new strategy made the top of the list, along with representing Gapland on the Flat Track Friction bout poster.
Teammate and coach, Lottie B. Naughty, shared the following about Maehem. “Except for her marvellous booty shorts and make-up, Maehem isn’t a flashy player, on or off the track—but flying under the radar she is one to make things happen. Always hard-working, diplomatic, and graceful, she gets things done without anyone even realizing how it happened. More than just Ms. CheeVS Maehem, she is also magic.”
Maehem’s next derby action will take place in Halifax on August 10th, when we take on the Halifax Harbour Grudges. Going into this game, the coaches will be counting on her for leadership on and off the track. Stay tuned for bout photos, which are guaranteed to feature her in one of her fabulous outfits.
Gapland Rollers 