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When Stacie Wilhelm first tried out for roller derby in 2010 in Fort Collins, Colorado, she almost was turned away. But it wasnt a lack of skill that made the Choice City Rebels nudge her toward the exits.When I came to try out at first, the league didnt think I was old enough, said Wilhelm, who was actually 26 at the time but rolled with players much younger. I skated with the juniors because I hadnt skated much on quad skates. But, I also had to assure them that I was well over the minimum age, which was 18.Since then, the baby-faced assassin has developed into a prolific scorer and become one of the most versatile players in the game.Wilhelm, now a jammer for Denver Roller Derby, returns to the Womens Flat Track Derby Association championships this weekend in Portland, Oregon. Hosted by the leagues reigning world champion, the Rose City Rollers, the WFTDAs international competition starts Friday and features teams from four countries. The league champion will be crowned Sunday (9 p.m. ET, ESPNU).Since making Denvers travel squad four years ago -- and playing alongside USA World Cup skaters Tracy Akers, Shaina Serelson and Jes Rivas -- Wilhelm noticed a need to elevate intensity, both in terms of skating and overall athleticism.Part of my draw to derby originally was that it was a contact sport, Wilhelm said. My first league was all about the hitting, and [as a jammer] I had learned to hit and drive. Coming to Denver, I held onto that physical aspect, but had to deal with a much higher level of skating and fitness.Wilhelm, now 32, turned to CrossFit-style workouts and saw immediate benefits. But she felt the need for more.Two years ago, I helped create what we call Agility/Strength/Stability, and that was intentionally for Mile High Club, said Wilhelm, who has customized her workout for each skater after consulting with trainers and strength coaches.The first part was to help our skaters build muscle, and then move more into plyometrics with the aim to build that strength we wanted, and full-body endurance too, Wilhelm said.The Denver terrain has a lot to offer when it comes to fitness and endurance.I really enjoy road cycling and just being able to bike Colorado, said Wilhelm, who has completed the Copper Triangle, an annual 78-mile, two-day event that crosses three major mountain passes.For the adventurous Wilhelm, thats just the tip of the iceberg. Shes also accomplished in photography and film, and she has taken her lens and love of sport to Fiji and Africa. Wilhelm will soon be headed to Uganda for the fifth time.I went to school for film editing, said Wilhelm, who works professionally as a computer programmer. I wanted to eventually work with non-profits abroad, although I wasnt exactly sure in what capacity.She found her answer after talking with some friends who were stationed in Uganda. She is now producing videos on a volunteer basis to help a Ugandan orphanage called Bethesda International.She eventually plans to publish a coffee table book of her work abroad, along with stories about travel and people she has met.I love travel and learning about people, she said. Its also important to do whatever we can do, average people and non-profits, to help lift up people in other parts of the world.For now, her focus is lifting Denver. She has stepped up both her minutes and output in order to succeed.Shes one of the most positive influences on our team, Denver teammate Susy Pow said of Wilhelm, who won the WFTDAs playoff MVP award in September at the WFTDAs Columbia, South Carolina, divisional tournament.Even opponents speak highly.She is a great teammate because she is a great person, says former Denver teammate Serelson, who now plays in Australia with Victoria. She balances hard work with laughter, [and] drive with gratitude, making this roller derby world a better place. Air Force 1 Low Wholesale . Roman Josi had a goal and an assist to lead the Predators to a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Nike Cortez Cheap . -- Bryant McKinnie came out of his stance and lowered his shoulder into a practice squad player, causing a crisp thud to reverberate in the Miami Dolphins practice bubble. http://www.nikeshoesoutletwholesale.com/vans-sale.html . -- James Young couldnt wait to apply those tweaks to his jump shot, and the first one he made against UT Arlington told him it could be a good night. Adidas NMD R1 Clearance . Siddikur, whose previous win on the circuit came in Brunei three years ago, finished his bogey-free round with a birdie on the 18th for a total of 17-under 199. Indias Shiv Chowrasia, who has finished runner-up in this tournament twice, was in second place after a 66. Nike Shox Mens Clearance . One game after a miserable showing in Oklahoma City, Gay tied a career high with 41 points and the Sacramento Kings cruised to a 114-97 victory at the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. The Illinois Fighting Illini (1-2) travel to Lincoln, Neb., to take on the No. 15 Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2) following a bye week. Despite a 4-0 start, the Cornhuskers could probably use a week off, too.Now nearly a full month into the season, injuries are starting to mount for Nebraska, particularly along its offensive line.After losing a projected starter in Jerald Foster to a season-ending knee injury during fall camp, the Huskers were already thin on an offensive front that featured three new starters and two others taking over new positions.Now it looks like Nebraska (4-0 overall, 1-0 Big Ten) might be down another starter this week against Illinois (1-2, 0-0), as sophomore right guard Tanner Farmer is considered doubtful and mostly likely out after suffering a high ankle sprain in Saturdays 24-13 win over Northwestern.Tanner is probably out, head coach Mike Riley said. Its a high ankle sprain. He might need right through the bye to be healthy for the following week. So well see about that.Nebraska was already using a former tackle in senior walk-on Sam Hahn to replace Foster at left guard, and while senior Corey Whitaker would take over for Farmer if he is indeed ruled out, the depth after that suddenly becomes a major concern.Riley said right now the top backups at guard would be true freshman Boe Wilson and redshirt freshman Jalin Barnett, neither of which have played a single meaningful snap in their college careers.In fact, while Wilson was briefly in the discussion for immediate playing time before the season, Riley had since stated he wanted to redshirt the former three-star prospect in 2016. Barnett, a former four-star recruit, has been plagued by minor injuries in his own right.Its just kind of the next man up kind of thing, Hahn said. If somebody goes down, its next person up to step up and make plays. We just have to get prepared in practice every day and take it from there.The good news is that the Huskers feel good about Whitaker -- who earned one of the highest grades of any Husker offensive lineman after filling in for Farmer at Northwestern -- stepping into the starting lineup.But the lack of depth after the first group could present some problemms this week against an Illinois defensive line that Riley called the best Nebraska will have seen all season.ddddddddddddWeve lost two scout team players as a matter of fact, so our offensive line depth right now is not great, Riley said. Weve got to get this lineup set for this week and figure out how to practice for our defense, too, as we go through the week.Riley wont get much sympathy from his former NFL head coaching colleague Lovie Smith at Illinois. The Fighting Illini come in off a 25-point loss to North Carolina and a 24-point loss to Western Michigan, and Smith decided to have the team go through a full contact practice on Tuesday to get ready for the Huskers.You try to hit on all phases of your game; special teams, of course the offense, defense, Smith said when asked what he hoped to accomplish during the bye week. Weve given up some big plays; we havent made enough big plays on the other side of the ball. (Were) just really tightening the bolts on who we want to be. Not just in one area, it was all of us looking in the mirror. I think its pretty obvious on what we need to do better; thats what we concentrated on.No doubt one major emphasis for the Illini is trying to come up with a game plan to defend Nebraskas dual-threat quarterback Tommy Armstrong.Armstrong accounted for 378 yards of total offense in Nebraskas victory at Northwestern, including setting a career-high with 132 rushing yards on just 13 carries en route to Big Ten Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. Armstrong has now rushed for 227 yards over the past two games, and his running ability and Nebraskas willingness to use it has completely changed the identity of the Husker offense.Nebraska is averaging 242.0 rushing yards per game to rank third in the Big Ten and 21st nationally. The Cornhuskers had a season-high 310 rushing yards at Northwestern and have rushed for at least 200 yards in three of four games.But Nebraska is also among the nations most balanced offensive attacks. The Huskers are also averaging 243.0 passing yards per game and 485.0 total yards per game, which ranks 23rd in the nation. ' ' '