University Southern California Trojans
Three From USC Men’s Water Polo Named To Cutino Watch List
September 28, 2026 | Men's Water Polo
Robert López Duart, Strahinja Krstic and Charles Mills were among 20 players named to the watch list for college water polo’s top individual honor.
For the second consecutive season, a trio of Trojans represents the USC men's water polo team on the Peter J. Cutino Award Watch List. A Cutino Award finalist just one season ago, Robert López Duart earns his fourth selection to the watch list, while center Strahinja Krstic and goalkeeper Charles Mills make their first appearances.
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. 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. 20 athletes are recognized for their outstanding play. While it's possible the Cutino Award winner will come from this list of athletes, the watch list is completely independent from the nomination and voting process for the Cutino Award as that honor will acknowledge the full impact of the 2026 season. A women's Cutino Award Watch List will be shared in Spring 2027.
López Duart is second on the team with 30 goals paired with 13 assists for 43 points. The senior driver has registered nine multi-goal outings and has scored in 11-of-12 games this season. López Duart has added 14 steals, three field blocks and three drawn exclusions to his stats. Following a strong opening weekend at the Triton Invitational, López Duart earned MPSF Player of the Week honors after leading the Trojans to a 4-0 weekend with 15 goals on 17 attempts, five assists and four steals. In the win over Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, López Duart went a perfect 6-for-6 and tacked on two helpers for eight total points.Strahinja Krstic, the 2025 MPSF Newcomer of the Year, has taken a big step forward in the first half of his sophomore campaign. Krstic leads the Trojans in goals with 38 and has scored in every contest this season. He also tops both USC and the MPSF in drawn exclusions with 43, recording at least three drawn exclusions in 10 of the Trojans' 12 games. Krstic has made an impact defensively as well, with 16 steals and a pair of field blocks. He set a new career high with six goals against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and matched that mark in the victory over No. 7 Long Beach State.
Two-time USC men's water polo captain Charles Mills rounds out the group selected to the Cutino Award Watch List. Mills earned his first All-American honors in 2025, being named to the Third Team following a stellar second season of action. Mills has been the main man in the cage for the Trojans in 2026, recording 77 saves and holding opponents to single-digit scoring in seven appearances. Mills has also added 16 steals and four assists on the season.
