INLAND FIELDHOUSE

I covered the Riverside Poly-Corona Santiago girls varsity water polo match on Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011, for The Press-Enterprise and came away thinking I had just seen a nominal shift of power in the Big VIII League.

The result marked two things:

1. Santiago’s ascension to champion for the first time ever; the Sharks had been runners-up to Poly each of the last four seasons.

2. Corona/Norco USD’s final death blow, athletically, at RUSD. Girls water polo was one of the only sports which Riverside’s Big VIII schools still held an advantage.

What made it seemingly even more deflating for Poly was the sight of their coach, Mike Cardey, on crutches. With their leader hobbled, how could the possibly win?

Santiago led 2-0 within the first two minutes and the rout was on. Everyone was scoring goal; seniors Julia Kirkland and Sierra Smiley rattled the cage in back of Poly senior goalkeeper Jillian Yocum. It was definitely not Yocum’s finest 28 minutes.

Santiago coach Ty Hudson took the plunge after the match, and was wrapped in a towel for the entirety of our interview. Lucky for him it was only about 65 degrees. I didn’t see him shiver much. Probably from the adreniline of having won his first Big VIII League title.

PLAYER AND COACH QUOTES FORTHCOMING FROM:
Riverside Poly coach Mike Cardey
Corona Santiago coach Ty Hudson
Corona Santiago senior 4-meter Julia Kirkland
Corona Santiago senior 4-meter Sierra Smiley