IRVINE, Calif. — USA Water Polo and The Olympic Club announced their 2024 Cutino Award Watch List in collaboration with the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches on Thursday, naming UC Santa Barbara's Madison Walker among the 22 best players in collegiate women's water polo. Walker is the first Gaucho, male or female, ever named to this list.
 
The Olympic Club has bestowed the Peter J. Cutino Award, named for the late Hall of Fame coach, to the top male and female player in college water polo since 1999, though this midseason Watch List only debuted in the fall of 2022 as an additional way of honoring these student-athletes' excellent play and generating awareness of the award. The 22 players recognized represent the top players from a group nominated by coaches across the country.
 
Walker, one of three goalkeepers on the list, has been the backbone of a strong and pesky Gaucho defense so far this season, maintaining one of the best goals-against averages (8.38), save percentages (.519) and steal totals (30, most by a goalie) in The Big West while starting all 21 of UC Santa Barbara's games. She was named Big West Player of the Week for the first time of her career on March 6.
 
The 2024 Cutino Award winner will be selected based on the entire 2024 season and will not necessarily be one of the 22 athletes on this watch list. The winner will be announced on June 1, 2024 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.