Teens come together for first 'Paddle Battle' in Palatine

Palatine and Fremd high school students watch their peers compete in the first "Palatine Paddle Battle" Aug. 5 at Hamilton Park Pickleball Courts in Palatine. Courtesy of Jim Capalbo

Posted August 15, 2022 11:00 pm

Submitted by Jim Capalbo

On Friday Aug. 5, the popular Hamilton Park Pickleball Courts were reserved by the Palatine Park District from 5-10 p.m. for the first "Palatine Paddle Battle" pickleball tournament.

Twenty-six high school boys and girls - mostly from Fremd and Palatine high schools - competed in the tournament, officiated by certified referees, in front of approximately 30 of their high school peers surrounding the courts.

After a round robin in two separate brackets, each team earned a seed in a single-elimination tournament. After four hours of competing, a champion was crowned after Tommy Elter and Connor May defeated Shane Hebert and Derek Nicholson in the best of three games.

The tournament was coordinated by 28-year-old Palatine High School teacher Josh Ware with the help of Fremd teacher Brian Newby. As one of the top players in the area, Ware is on a mission to get his students and other local kids interested and involved in the sport he has come to love.

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