Ellis Sent to Argonauts in 16-Player CFL Trade

Craig Ellis, a former Poly High football standout, will join Raghib (Rocket) Ismail on the Toronto Argonauts after being dealt by the Edmonton Eskimos on Thursday in a 16-player trade, the largest in Canadian Football League history.

Ellis, six teammates and the rights to defensive lineman Cam Brousseau, a 1991 draft choice, were sent to Toronto in exchange for eight players.

Ellis, a 32-year old slotback, was Edmonton’s second-leading receiver in 1992 with 62 receptions for 1,018 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Ellis joined the Eskimos in 1989 and was their leading receiver his first three seasons and the winner of the Jeff Nicklin Trophy in 1990 as the most outstanding player in the CFL Western Division.

Ellis, who played for Santa Barbara City College and San Diego State, has played nine seasons with five teams in the CFL.

He also played for the Miami Dolphins in 1986, the Raiders during the 1987 NFL players’ strike and participated in training camps with the San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys.

Jim Toring of Simi Valley returned this week from Colorado Springs where he participated in a camp with the U.S. national water polo team.

Toring was chosen to attend the camp with 24 other players from around the country after three tryouts in December.

In addition to daily training of six hours in the pool, Toring and the others attended symposiums on media relations, nutrition and physical conditioning.

About 1,000 runners are expected to participate in the seventh Ventura 30-kilometer race Feb. 14.

The run, which begins in Mission Park, stretches along old Pacific Coast Highway and the Emma Wood bike path.

Information: 805-643-1104.

Ventura College is playing host to Saturday Morning Open Water Polo, a program starting this Saturday and continuing through May 15 at the Ventura College Aquatic Center.

The pool is open from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. each week but is limited to players with high school varsity experience.

Former college and masters players are welcome.

The aquatic center is at 4667 Telegraph Road.

Information: 805-654-6328.