WPH Press

The WPH is thrilled to present the CA Next Gen Icebreaker, featuring four of the top 20-something stars in the sport. Northern Californians Loren Collado and Erik Torres and Southern Californians Dylan Hernandez and Ricardo Palma traveled from the Golden State to the Grand Canyon State and Tucson’s Clark Park to battle for the second WPH Icebreaker crown.

The WPH CA Next Gen Icebreaker was played with all of the CDC protocols in place, as the players were socially distanced from one another and the WPH staff, the park was closed to the public, and all non-playing participants and staff wore masks throughout the event.

“We want to show people that we could safely hold an event with all of the COVID protocols in place,” stated WPH Executive Director David Vincent. “We closed the park, had the referee wearing a mask, and had the limited number of fans social distance in masks, while ensuring the players were distanced as much as possible.”

Meet the four CA Icebreaker Next Gen Stars

Dylan Hernandez HERE

Erik Torres HERE

Ricardo Palma HERE

Loren Collado HERE

NOTE:  TO WATCH ALL MATCHES FROM THIS EVENT IN THEIR ENTIRETY, PLEASE GO TO PATREON.COM/WPHLIVE AND BECOME A PLEDGE SUPPORTER (This video will be available to WPH members within two weeks)

Third Place Final: Ricardo Palma vs. Loren Collado

Ricardo Palma faced Loren Collado after the pair dropped their openers to Erik Torres and Dylan Hernandez, respectively. Both were motivated to head back to California with a win.

Palma stunned the 6”3 Collado in game one, applying pressure to force numerous Collado errors. Palma proudly stated that the tomahawk is his favorite shot and the Lake Forest College product used the T-hawk to great effect, building a 21-16, 12-0 lead. “Even at 0-12 I thought I was going to come back and win,” Collado would later say.

Palma never relinquished the momentum, putting Collado away for one of the biggest wins of his career.

Final: Palma def Collado 21-16, 21-6

David Fink

WPH Senior Writer