University Southern California Trojans
Three From Women’s Water Polo Selected To Cutino Award Watch List
March 26, 2026 | Women's Water Polo
The Women of Troy have three representatives on the 2026 Peter J. Cutino Award Watch List. Emily Ausmus was named to the list for the second consecutive season while Rachel Gazzaniga and Ava Stryker are recognized as part of the twenty athlete group for the first time in their careers.
The watch list, which is named in honor of the late Hall of Fame coach, recognizes the best player in men's and women's college water polo. This 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. Twenty athletes, as submitted by varsity college coaches around the country, are recognized for their outstanding play.
Ausmus leads the Trojan offense with 57 goals and holds a .663 shot percentage on the year. The sophomore attacker also leads in steals with 33 and field blocks with 13. She has 22 assists to go along with the 57 goals for 79 total points this season. Ausmus recorded six goals on seven shots against UC San Diego at the Triton Invitational to match her career high. She also went five-of-six in the victory over No. 5 Hawai'i before hitting the game winner to take down No. 1 Stanford. Just one season ago, Ausmus was named a finalist for the Peter J. Cutino Award after a strong start to her collegiate career.
Gazzaniga has tallied 32 goals and 23 assists for 55 points this season. The junior leads the squad in drawn exclusions with 28. On the defensive side, Gazzaniga has recorded 16 steals and six field blocks. In the win over Michigan State, Gazzaniga racked up eight points on four goals and four assists paired with three steals and two drawn exclusions.
Stryker is third on the team with 36 goals paired with 15 assists for 51 points. The junior attacker holds a .643 shooting percentage and has drawn 10 exclusions throughout the 2026 campaign. Stryker has added 12 steals and six field blocks on defense. Against Michigan, Stryker racked up five goals on six shots and had four goal performances in two games against Long Beach State.
The watch list, which is named in honor of the late Hall of Fame coach, recognizes the best player in men's and women's college water polo. This 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. Twenty athletes, as submitted by varsity college coaches around the country, are recognized for their outstanding play.
Ausmus leads the Trojan offense with 57 goals and holds a .663 shot percentage on the year. The sophomore attacker also leads in steals with 33 and field blocks with 13. She has 22 assists to go along with the 57 goals for 79 total points this season. Ausmus recorded six goals on seven shots against UC San Diego at the Triton Invitational to match her career high. She also went five-of-six in the victory over No. 5 Hawai'i before hitting the game winner to take down No. 1 Stanford. Just one season ago, Ausmus was named a finalist for the Peter J. Cutino Award after a strong start to her collegiate career.
Gazzaniga has tallied 32 goals and 23 assists for 55 points this season. The junior leads the squad in drawn exclusions with 28. On the defensive side, Gazzaniga has recorded 16 steals and six field blocks. In the win over Michigan State, Gazzaniga racked up eight points on four goals and four assists paired with three steals and two drawn exclusions.
Stryker is third on the team with 36 goals paired with 15 assists for 51 points. The junior attacker holds a .643 shooting percentage and has drawn 10 exclusions throughout the 2026 campaign. Stryker has added 12 steals and six field blocks on defense. Against Michigan, Stryker racked up five goals on six shots and had four goal performances in two games against Long Beach State.
Players Mentioned
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