On Track to the Roller Derby World Cup

Shelby Castro BA ’25 whizzed through her childhood on roller skates in her hometown of Ventura, California. Castro’s mother worked at a roller rink where she gave Shelby a pair of “super tiny skates” when her daughter was barely a year old. By the time she turned 6, Castro had joined a league in Los Angeles. There, her derby name, Lil’ RegulateHer, was born.

Shelby Castro BA ’25
Credit: Brita BritnellTo Castro, “Roller derby is really unique because in other sports, there’s offense happening at once, and defense happening at a separate time. In roller derby, you have it happening all at the same time.” Consequently, Castro describes the sport as a sort of “brain puzzle” with an engaged, supportive fan culture led by passionate athletes on the rink.

Today, Castro balances her time between two teams that are part of the Rose City Rollers league. “I skate for the league’s local home team, the High Rollers—they mainly only play in Portland. And I also skate for the league’s travel team, the Wheels of Justice—they travel nationally.”

Castro plays in two different roles: jammer (offense) and blocker (defense). “I think being able to do both has made me a really dynamic skater in both positions.”

And now, Castro has one more experience to add to her résumé: representing Team USA at the 2025 Roller Derby World Cup.

Team USA members come from across the nation, and while they will only meet a few times for synchronous practice, they each share the immediate connection of a love for the sport. Many have already played against one another regionally. A robust team of coaches unite the group.

“To be selected for the team—and not exactly expecting that—was super validating and an extremely big moment,” Castro explains. “I’ve been watching the Team USA roller derby selections since I was a very young skater. To go from, ‘Oh, I want that’ to now being in that position is really full circle.”

An International Education

The 2025 Roller Derby World Cup will take place July 3–6 in Innsbruck, Austria. While it will be Castro’s first time in Austria, it won’t be her first time abroad. Castro participated in Lewis & Clark’s overseas study program to Morocco last year, and while it was difficult for Castro to sacrifice practice on the rink for a semester abroad, she fondly reflects on the experience. “I got the chance to explore, and I felt it really opened opportunities for me as an international affairs major.”

While overseas, Castro made local connections that she views as invaluable for her aspiration to work for a humanitarian organization. This spring, she’ll further that career goal through a mentorship at Amnesty International.

“My experience abroad made me appreciate both being home and skating with a team,” says Castro. “But it also made me appreciate spending time away and exploring new things.”

Now that Castro is back practicing in Portland, she emphasizes the importance of a student-athlete balance. “If I wasn’t able to maintain my academics, I would be too worried or stressed to really appreciate and put my effort into roller derby. I believe in prioritizing academics but also in allowing your interest and appreciation for the sport to continue to shine through. It’s really good for your physical and mental health.”

For Castro, Lewis & Clark’s small class sizes and close faculty connection accommodate her travel schedule. “That relationship with professors has made me feel more comfortable balancing derby and school.”

Between practices and writing her senior thesis, Castro also finds the time to serve as a cochair for the Middle East and North African Studies (MENA) Symposium. This annual event, organized by a committee of students, aims to explore the history, culture, and politics of the region.

Rolling On

After graduating this May, Castro intends to continue skating for the Rose City Rollers. “I’m kind of following what experiences are going to help me as a person, as well as my career. And whatever opportunities are out there, I’m willing and able to follow through.”

Castro encourages any prospective derby players to check out the Rose City Rollers on social media and attend a scrimmage at Oaks Park, the oldest roller rink in the Pacific Northwest. Located just across the river from Lewis & Clark, the rink is easily accessible via the L&C shuttle or public transportation. Castro says new skaters will receive a warm welcome. “There’s a certain culture that is produced in roller derby,” says Castro. “Everybody in the community is super excited to talk about it!”

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