Gray skies and an unheated pool couldn't dampen the enthusiasm during the duel Alumni vs. Varsity water polo games and induction ceremony held on Saturday.

In the games, former Agoura High School Water Polo players battled both the boys and girls varsity teams to win bragging rites for the next year.

The girls game, which played first, was closely matched in skill and age, with the alumni team featuring a number of collegiate players. The Alumni beat the Varsity Girls in a close game, 13-12.

The men's Alumni team showed the current CIF Champions they still have what it takes despite a roster that included graduates from the 70's. Ultimately, the alumni edged out the reigning champs with a 16-14 victory.

During a break in the games, Mayor John Edelston, and City Council members Harry Schwarz and Illece Buckley-Weber presented special certificates for members of the team with a GPA of 3.6 or higher.

The ceremony also featured the induction of the inaugural class into the Agoura High School Hall of Fame. Former students included Mike Milligan, class of 1982, Agoura High School Player and Boys Water Polo and Swim Head Coach, 1987-1991; Carrie Lohnberg, Class of 1999, 4 year Swim Team member, Founding member of Girls Water Polo, 1996; Jason Stelle, Class of 1991, 4 year Swim Team and Water Polo Team member, current holder of multiple school records, 4 CIF Individual Swim titles; and Julie Park, class of 1988, 4 year member Swim Tean, current school record holder, 5 CIF Individual Swim titles and 8 Individual League titles.

Saturday’s event was also held to raise awareness of the high school efforts to rebuild the swimming pool.  

The Aquatics Program at the high school is arguably one of it's most successful. Not only does the Aquatics Program continue to produce CIF and Marmonte League Championship seasons, the Water Polo Program has sent on more athletes to play in college than any other athletic program at the high school. Supporters feel they deserve to showcase the athletes talent in a modern facility, according to Jill Flyer, a water polo parent and Patch blogger.

As if to reaffirm the necessity of long over-due renovations, the aging pool heater broke the Friday night before the event. Built in 1971 and accommodating only three aquatics teams (2 swim teams and a water polo team), the facilities are in bad need of updating and organizers are trying to provide a state-of-the-art playing and training facilities for the highly touted aquatics program.  

"Yesterday was very troubling because the pool was not heating up; a valve was stuck," said Flyer. "What people need to understand about the pool is that it's not just a dated pool; the entire infrastructure is so old that we cannot repair this pump in any type of manner that would be expedient. It's a huge old pump that's on it's last legs."

The new proposed pool facility is expected to cost $2 million dollars. Student athletes would be out of their current pool for one season, necessitating the usage of other area facilities, Flyer said.

"Everything is giving out around here,” said Flyer."We can't use electrical; everything blows out. “

To illustrate the situation, there were three separate 100-foot extension cords plugged into three separate outlets because the system could not handle a bigger electrical load.

"This pool was built for 1971 standards," said Flyer. "Those standards are long past. It's time for a new pool."