Men's water polo goalie McQuin Baron headlined USC's seven All-Americans this season by winning National Player of the Year today.Click here for the full release!
Baron earned the honor by posting 247 saves (11.8 saves per game) with a 4.47 goals-against average --- the best in the MPSF. He only allowed double digit goals in two games this year: USC's two losses to Cal. Baron becomes the 10th Trojan to win National Player of the Year. He is USC's first winner since Kostas Genidounias in 2014 and the first USC goalie to win since Joel Dennerley in 2011.
Baron is joined by Blake Edwards on the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches All-American First Team. Edwards led USC's potent scoring attack, with 42 goals this season. This honor marks the second straight first team All-American selection for the Australian.Baron and Edwards are still in the running for the Peter J. Cutino Award --- collegiate water polo's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. The winner will be announced in June 2017.
USC's second-leading scorer, Matteo Morelli, earned a spot on the All-American second team for his 37-goal season. Morelli, Edwards and Grant Stein, who earned third team honors, are now tied at 28th on USC's all-time scoring list with 110 goals. Lachlan Edwards, who's right behind with 108 career goals, also earned third team honors this year.
Senior Nick Bell and freshman Matt Maier round out USC's All-American honorees, earning honorable mention for their efforts in USC's 24-2 season.
