During the week, senior Amber Burton is busy completing her English Writing and Rhetoric degree on the creative writing fast track. But twice a week, for two hours, Burton breaks her routine and trades in her backpack for a pair of roller skates and some knee pads.

Burton is in the final stages of training to become a member of the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, a banked track roller derby league in Austin.

“I tried out in December of last year and went through the training program in the spring, but there weren’t very many league spots open at mid-season and I needed more experience,” Burton said. “This time around I feel a lot better about my skating abilities, and I’ve gotten a chance to know more of the skaters