RIVERSIDE — Empty and surrounded by chain-link fencing, the future of the pool at the Riverside Aquatics Complex is uncertain.
With an undisclosed issue, the Inland region’s premier aquatics facility has been closed for weeks, affecting both collegiate and community programs.
The Riverside City College women’s water polo team placed second in the state this season despite not having a functional space of its own to compete in since hosting a tournament in October.
Riverside Water Polo Club, which has trained at the RAC for more than 10 years, has cut its under-18 teams and shortened its winter programs because of the closure.
RCC athletics director Jen Spalding has not responded to multiple calls and emails.
Built by Tilden Coil and completed in 2011, the RAC features a 65-meter by 25-yard competition pool and has hosted multiple CIF Southern Section swimming and diving championships utilizing its 10-meter, 3-meter and 1-meter diving boards.
The RAC also hosted “Splash” in 2013, a primetime television documentary series from ABC focused on celebrities learning diving from professionals.
Additionally, there are buildings on site with locker room facilities for men and women, offices and team rooms, as well as housings for mechanical equipment storage surrounding the pool.
The site was initially developed in a workshop with the Tilden Coil design team and major stakeholders, including representatives from RCC and the City and County of Riverside.
While specific construction costs were not detailed, the complex was built to host large-scale events and is recognized as a significant aquatic training facility in Southern California.
RCC’s original Cutter Pool, smaller and built for $180,000 in 1958, remains operational.
UCR GOLF HIRES CORTES
The UC Riverside men’s and women’s programs are keeping coaching local.
The Highlanders have hired Magarito Cortes Jr., who most recently serves as the head professional at Canyon Crest Golf Course in Riverside, as their newest assistant coach.
“As a longtime friend and mentor, his knowledge and experience will be invaluable to our team,” UC Riverside head coach Nathalie Silva said. “We are fortunate to have him on board, and I am confident that his presence will significantly enhance our prospects for success.”
Cortes previously spent 15 years as general manager at Jurupa Hills Golf Club, where he created successful junior and adult development programs that helped expand access to the sport in the Inland Empire.
CBU WRESTLING SETS NEW MARK
The California Baptist University wrestling team traveled to the East Coast to get its first dual meet victory of the season and to set a new record.
The Lancers defeated Presbyterian 42-3 in Clinton, S.C., on Monday, setting a new record for largest dual meet victory over a NCAA Division I opponent while scoring 40-plus points in a dual for the first time since 2022.
Freshman Richard Murillo (Canyon Springs High) pinned Fernando Dominguez in just 1 minute, 58 seconds to win at 133 pounds for CBU, which travels to San Luis Obispo to take on Cal Poly and Drexel in a tri-dual on Saturday.
ELLIS RETURNS TO CHAFFEY
Chaffey College alum Jordan Ellis is back with the Panthers.
Ellis, who helped lead the Panthers to consecutive South Coast Conference swimming championships in 2012 and 2013, is now the head coach of the women’s water polo and men’s swimming teams.
Previously the head coach at Citrus College, Ellis helped produce that program’s first 3C2A State Championships qualifier in more than a decade as Kori Cunningham set new program standards by breaking records in the 50, 100 and 200 freestyle.
ODD & ENDS
Pomona-Pitzer announced the appointment of Danielle Lynch, Ed.D., as its new athletics director beginning April 1. Lynch previously was athletics director at Haverford (Penn.) College … Miranda Armstrong was named the Pomona-Pitzer women’s soccer team’s new head coach following the retirement of Jennifer Scanlon after 20-plus years and seven NCAA tournament appearances. … Claremont-Mudd-Scripps junior attacker Nick Kennedy was named the NCAA Division III national player of the year by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches. … . Mt. San Jacinto women’s basketball sophomore guard Karsen Marshall (Ontario Christian High) had a game-high 26 points and 14 rebounds in a 92-36 win over Chaffey to open Inland Empire Athletic Conference play on Saturday, Dec. 13.
