L i t a  "L a t i n  H e l l c a t" M a r e z
Lita tried her hand at roller derby for 6 months. She trained for the LA T-Birds in Pico Rivera, CA. Still after all that time on the track she could not skate well enough so she decided to try something else per her doctors orders. Thats when she fround the wrestling training school in Reseda, CA. Ran by the late great Mildred Burke and trained by Johnnie Mae Young. Lita mastered the "Boston crab" and the "Rocker". They became her signature moves. She held several Womens Championship titles throughout her 13 year career. She toured the Southern California area and Japan.
Lita flipping over Jane Sherrill.
O'Hara, Marez, Sherrill in tag team action. On Wednesday, February 22, 1967 Lita, Johnnie Mae Young, Hatfield Hattie, Mae Weston and Pearlie Benn were in the 'First Time Ever' all girl battle royal at the Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, CA. Longtime roller derby and wrestling announcer Dick "Whoa Nellie" Lane could not contain his excitement and pleasure as written by him in Wrestling Revue Magazine (June 1967) when he seen her on the mat. Lita's sister Jane de Hoyos and sister in law Jane Sherrill also wrestler pro for Mildred Burke Promotions. In Bakersfield, CA in a bout against her sister Jane, she broke her nose. Their parents were in the audience and afterwards Lita got a scolding from their Mother. A night to this day Lita has etched vividly in her memory bank. Lita wrestled the circuit when women looked like women not silicone freaks. Although they were tough on the mat outside they were just plain women. She worked the mat when its was not common to see gals in this type of rough sport. Women like her, Mildred Burke, Johnnie Mae Young, Panama Franco, Joan Weston, Ann Calvello, Gerry Murray, Annis Jensen, Toughie Brasuhn and many others help pave the way for women to enter into rough competitions. These women and others were pioneers for today's modern woman.
Lita in training with Panama Franco. Being taught by their mentor Johnnie Mae Young.
Sherrill (on ground) Lita socking Johnnie Mae Young. Lita says that her toughest fought bouts were against Johnnie Mae Young. She didn't give you a inch. For more than a couple of years Marez & Young toured the California circuit battling for the States Womens Championship Division title.
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