California Irvine Athletics

USA Water Polo Release

IRVINE, Calif. – UC Irvine senior Luka Krstic has been named to the Cutino Award Watch List as announced Thursday by USA Water Polo.
 
USAWP and The Olympic Club collaborated with the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) to compile the list of 20 honorees. Krstic is the only representative from a Big West institution.
 
The Peter J. Cutino Award, named in honor of the late Hall of Fame Coach, recognizes the best player in men's and women's college water polo. The watch list was created in 2022 in an effort to help promote the collegiate game, awareness of the award, and the tremendous play of athletes across the country.
 
While it's possible the 2026 Cutino Award winner will come from the watch list, it is independent from the nomination and voting process of the Cutino Award as the honor will acknowledge the full impact of the 2025 season.
 
Krstic leads the Anteaters in nearly every offensive category through the first 12 games of the season. He has compiled 24 goals and 15 assists for a team-best 39 points. The 6-foot-7 attacker has been extremely efficient as well, converting 50% of his shot attempts.
 
Krstic has scored in all but one game this year and has eight outings with multiple goals. He also tied his career high with four assists against California Baptist on Sept. 21. Krstic is a two-time All-American and two-time first-team All-Big West selection.

Cutino Award Watch List

1. Kiefer Black | Navy | Junior | Attacker
2. Jack Burghardt | Harvard | Junior | Utility
3. Jon Carcarey | Pepperdine | Junior | Utility
4. Chase Dodd | UCLA | R-Senior | Attacker
5. Ryder Dodd | UCLA | Sophomore | Attacker
6. Brendon Gyapjas | San Jose State | Junior | Goalkeeper
7. Bernardo Herzer | USC | R-Junior | Goalkeeper
8. Reese Jenican | Santa Clara | Senior | Center
9. Kristóf Kovács | Princeton | Junior | Goalkeeper
10. Luka Krstic | UC Irvine | Senior | Attacker
11. Tom Leggett | Air Force | Sophomore | Utility
12. Robert Lopez Duart | USC | Junior | Attacker
13. Alika Naone | LMU | Graduate | Attacker
14. Ryan Ohl | Stanford | Sophomore | Attacker
15. Luca Provenziani | Fordham | Sophomore | Utility
16. Will Schneider | Stanford | Sophomore | Center
17. Ilias Stothart | Brown | Senior | Center
18. Laszlo Strasser | Wagner | Senior | Attacker
19. Andras Toth | Fordham | Sophomore | Attacker
20. Mihailo Vukazic | USC | Senior | Attacker