Top water polo player is being investigated over allegations she harassed rivals during a college match – but her colleagues say the allegations against her are nonsense
- UC Irvine’s Nina Flynn has been accused of inappropriately touching her opponents at a water polo game against Loyola Marymount
- Flynn is now under investigation by the university – but her angry colleagues point out that every water polo game is riddled with such violations
- Flynn scored four goals in the game against LMU – helping her team win 11-8
The water polo player is under investigation over allegations that she molested two of her rivals while leading her team to victory in a college match.
Freshman Nina Flynn was accused of inappropriately touching the intimate parts of opponent players during a game last month and has been suspended temporarily by her UC Irvine team.
But the decision infuriated her teammates, who refused to participate in a prestigious tournament next week, as Flynn denied the allegations.
Another player’s father set up a GoFundMe on Flynn’s behalf claiming that each water polo player is guilty of the violations attributed to them. The page raised over $27,000.
The case against Flynn revolves around a match between UC Irvin and Loyola Marymount during the February 16 game.
Student Nina Flynn is facing allegations of inappropriate intimate parts of opposing players – after she led her team to victory in a game Feb. 16.
She scored four goals against LMU, helping her team win 11-8.
After receiving complaints from two players, UC suspended Irvine Flynn but the suspension was lifted on March 10.
Despite this, she is still the subject of an official investigation by the university’s Title IX office that regulates sexism in sports.
Title IX regulations prohibit intentional touching of a complainant’s body parts without his consent.
These include the genitals, anus, groin, breasts, and buttocks.
Flynn’s attorney, Allison P. Sarros, told the local outlet Orange County Register: Nina asserts that she is in no way responsible for the allegations and then with () Title IX (The Office) and analysis of the film and other evidence provided, the suspension was lifted and she was allowed to return to the pool while the investigation continued.”
Flynn received an “Honorable Mention” in 2022 All-American National and is the older sister of Stanford and US National Team player Gina Flynn.
The GoFundMe, created by David Tedesco, notes that Title IX regulations are “so broad, every water polo game, male or female, is riddled with such violations.”
“Based on these accusations, the UCI can expel Nina from the UCI and refer the matter to criminal prosecution or exclude her from the UCI women’s water polo team, among other penalties,” she continues.
Flynn’s lawyer said she vehemently denies the allegations against her
Honorable Mention 2022 All-American National She is the older sister of Stanford and US National Team player Jenna Flynn
More than $27,000 in legal fees was raised after the father of one of his colleagues set up a GoFundMe
Nina and the rest of the UCI women’s water polo team vigorously deny the accusations and are determined to not only fight for Nina’s innocence, but also for the safety of water polo.
“If an investigation under Article IX becomes a forum for alleged violations of game time, it will result in chaos for all water polo programs.”
Her teammate Barbara Klebs also boycotted a February 24–26 invitation.
The Kalbus Championship, hosted by the UCI, is one of the largest events annually in the women’s college water polo calendar.
WhatsNew2Day.com has reached out to both the UCI and LMU for comment.
