WPH Press, Clark Park, Tucson, AZ
Since September of 2020, the WPH has proudly hosted eight Icebreaker events at Tucson’s Clark Park, safely showcasing men’s and women’s pro handball during the pandemic. The first eight Icebreakers included all current pro players, as the world’s best demonstrated 3-Wall at the highest level.
Clark Park namesake and WPH megadonor Doug Clark approached the WPH with a concept to include the aspiring pros on the Icebreaker stage. “I love handball and I know Covid has been rough on our sport,” stated Clark, who watched the first Icebreaker qualifier match between his grandson Buddy Key and Missouri’s Max Langmack while awaiting the birth of his first great grandchild. “We need to keep the young, aspiring guys motivated and getting them into these Icebreakers is a great start.”
Max Langmack (MO) and Buddy Key (AZ) clashed in the first Icebreaker qualifier at Clark Park, with the winner earning a spot in the WPH Icebreaker #9 alongside Abraham Montijo (AZ), Nick Mattioni (TN), and Adam Bernhard (TX).
Langmack demonstrated sensational power with both hands from the outset of the match, while the supremely fit and powerfully built Key withstood the Langmack attack in the early goings. The pair of early twenty-somethings played virtually even for the first fifteen minutes of the match, with both driving the ball deep and waiting for offensive chances. Langmack’s pro experience and deep serve to the left appeared to be the difference in the second half of game one and in game two, as the 6”8 Mo State collegiate All-American and former Race 4 Eight top 25 pro toppled the former Tucson high school star quarterback and future Race 4 Eight pro in two games.
Final: Langmack def Key 15-8, 15-4
Key will have another chance to qualify for an Icebreaker at the upcoming WPH Icebreaker Contenders event at Clark Park (Enter HERE), which will award an Icebreaker invite to the winner.
“I had so much fun in there and I can’t wait until the next one,” beamed Key, who possesses one of the best attitudes in the sport.
“Buddy was tough and it was really great to be able to play him,” stated Langmack.
Relive all of the WPH Icebreakers HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Reporter