After two years of built-up anticipation, the North Medford and South Medford swimming teams christened the aquatics center at the newly opened Rogue Credit Union Community Complex, also known as Rogue X.

South Medford was able to sweep the boys and girls meets Saturday afternoon, but the day was more than just about points on a scoreboard. The dual meet also provided a glimpse at the state-of-the-art equipment — touch sensors, automatic timing system and big screen — in the center.

With all the new amenities, there was still some stress as Panthers swimming coach Robin Schiffer used the meet as a trial run.

“It’s the first time using all of the new stuff,” she said. “But between North and South, we have a lot of brains and knowledge that we were able to get this swim meet going.”

“I just see every meet going better and getting more successful after this one,” she added.

And with the grand opening of Rogue X, it took all hands on deck to get the meet underway as North Medford coach Chris George credited the staff to help get everything organized.

“I’m just super impressed with the crew here,” said George. “The fact that people poured in their time over the last 48 hours to have this place functioning like it did tonight is just an awesome thing.”

George described the new facility as a “late Christmas gift” to the Rogue Valley and was happy to see the two teams kick it off together.

Both teams had great efforts as the South Medford girls won 95-82, with Jazmin Elwood leading the charge behind individual wins in the 200-yard individual medley (2 minutes, 26.12 seconds) and the 100 butterfly (1:04.41).

The senior was excited to test out the new pool, and felt just at home.

“I really like this pool because of the feel of it,” she said. “The water is so clear and just made it a fun meet for both teams.”

Her teammate Ellie Carson enjoyed victories in the 200 freestyle (2:10.15) and 500 free (5:46.47), and Paige Schiffer added a win in the 100 free (1:04.41).

The Black Tornado swept the relays, and Eva Ringger won the 50 free (26.31) and 100 backstroke (1:08.5).

In the boys meet, South Medford took all three relays en route to a 114-68 victory. The Panthers’ Kenton Fine placed first in the 50 free (25.06) and the 100 back (1:09.06).

North Medford had a strong showing from Dylan Wittenberg, who won the 200 free (1:53.19) and the 100 free (51.41). The senior also got help from Ed Santillan in winning the 500 free (7:11.16), and Gavin Brown won the 50 back (34.41).

Despite the loss, Wittenberg thought the dual meet could not have got better as the new facility is a “blessing” to help bring more accessibility to the community.

“We haven’t had something like this at the county’s disposal,” he said. “It’s part of the community now, it’s a community pool that needs no crazy membership.”

Rogue X will also give local swimmers a new alternative for training, whether competitive or not.

“It makes it easier for high school swimmers,” said Elwood. “They can get more swimming whether they are a part of a club or not.”

Another aspect of Rogue X is that local swim teams will cut down on travel as Medford-based programs have had to branch out to Grants Pass or Portland for competitions.

“We don’t have to travel all around anymore,” said Wittenberg. “We can also now bring down more teams to have bigger swim meets here than ever.”

All of the new space, technology and accessibility is something that coach Schiffer has been waiting for since she moved to the Rogue Valley in 2012.

And now, the local swim teams are ready to dive into the new era.

“I was told that someday a pool like this will come,” she said. “That ‘someday’ is now.”

BOYS

TEAM SCORES: South Medford 114, North Medford 68

200 MEDLEY RELAY — 1, South Medford (Kenton Fine, Owen Neville, Joseph Schoenhals, Devon Scott), 1:58.04; 200 FREE — 1, Dylan Wittenberg, NM, 1:53.19; 200 IM — 1, Rowan Pastrano, SM, 2:57.82; 50 FREE — 1, Kenton Fine, SM, 25.06; 100 FLY — 1, Joey Schoenhals, SM, 1:04.81; 100 FREE — 1, Dylan Wittenberg, NM, 51.41; 500 FREE — 1, Ed Santillan, NM, 7:11.16; 200 FREE RELAY — 1, South Medford (Chase Powell, Dawson Hill, Brown Pastrano, Joe Pastrano), 1:48.38; 100 BACK — 1, Kenton Fine, SM, 1:09.12; 50 BACK — 1, Gavin Brown, NM, 34.41; 100 BREAST — 1, Owen Neville, SM, 1:14.62; 400 FREE RELAY — 1, South Medford (Devon Scott, Kenton Fine, Chase Powell, Joseph Schoenhals), 3:56.38.

GIRLS

TEAM SCORES: South Medford 95, North Medford 82

200 MEDLEY RELAY — 1, North Medford (Eva Ringger, Mila Lavelle, Erika George Manda Reso), 2:05.38; 200 FREE — 1, Ellie Carson, SM, 2:10.15; 200 IM — 1, Jazmin Elwood, SM, 2:26.12; 50 FREE — 1, Eva Ringger, NM, 26.31; 100 FLY — 1, Jazmin Elwood, SM, 1:04.41; 100 FREE — 1, Paige Schiffer, SM, 1:04.41; 500 FREE — 1, Ellie Carson, SM, 5:46.47; 200 FREE RELAY — 1, North Medford (Manda Reso, Emma Sowles, Erika George, Eva Ringger), 1:53.06; 100 BACK — 1, Eva Ringger, NM, 1:08.50; 50 BACK — 1, Emily Chandler, SM, 45. 69; 100 BREAST — 1, Mila Lavelle, NM, 1:13.62; 400 FREE RELAY — 1, North Medford (Emma Sowles, Isa Culver, Mila Lavelle, Sage Lambert), 4:32.66.