USC’s Emily Ausmus and Tilly Kearns Named to Peter J. Cutino Award Watch List
March 21, 2025 | Women's Water Polo
The two Trojan Olympians are in line for collegiate water polo’s highest individual honor.
In the same week that Emily Ausmus and Tilly Kearns both hit the 70-goal mark in season scoring, the two Trojan Olympians have been selected to the Peter J. Cutino Award Watch List. The selection puts the pair in the running for collegiate water polo's highest individual honor, which will be awarded in June.
Ausmus and Kearns are now two of just 11 Trojans to have scored 70 goals in a single season. Ausmus' 75 goals is a new USC record for goals scored by a Trojan true freshman, bettering fellow Olympian Paige Hauschild's 68 goals scored as a freshman in 2018. Kearns' 70 goals so far have propelled the senior up the USC career ladder, now ranking No. 4 all-time in scoring at USC with 232 goals.
Ausmus and Kearns have also been instrumental in helping USC to a 21-1 overall record and current No. 2 national ranking as the Trojans head to Berkeley for an MPSF matchup with Cal this weekend. A 2024 Olympian with Team USA, Ausmus has scored five MPSF Newcomer of the Week awards this season and is the Trojans' top scorer with her 75 goals while serving up a team-best 41 assists. She's also second on the team in steals with 26, and has scored at least once in every game this season with a team-high 21 multiple-goal outings. A 2024 Olympic silver medalist with Australia, Kearns leads USC in steals (37), drawn exclusions (40) and field blocks (13) to go along with her 70 goals slotted this season. Kearns picked up an MPSF Player of the Week pick earlier this season. She's scored in 20 different games this year and is second on the team in multiple-goal efforts with 18 to date.
Kearns has twice been selected as a finalist for the Cutino Award — in 2022 and 2023. USA Water Polo and The Olympic Club collaborates with the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches to name 20 players to the Watch List for the 2025 women's season. 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 is completely independent from the nomination and voting process for the Cutino Award, as that honor will acknowledge the full breadth of the 2025 season. Finalists will be announced following the completion of the women's season. USC already has one men's player named as a 2024-25 Cutino Award finalist in Max Miller.
Ausmus and Kearns are now two of just 11 Trojans to have scored 70 goals in a single season. Ausmus' 75 goals is a new USC record for goals scored by a Trojan true freshman, bettering fellow Olympian Paige Hauschild's 68 goals scored as a freshman in 2018. Kearns' 70 goals so far have propelled the senior up the USC career ladder, now ranking No. 4 all-time in scoring at USC with 232 goals.
Ausmus and Kearns have also been instrumental in helping USC to a 21-1 overall record and current No. 2 national ranking as the Trojans head to Berkeley for an MPSF matchup with Cal this weekend. A 2024 Olympian with Team USA, Ausmus has scored five MPSF Newcomer of the Week awards this season and is the Trojans' top scorer with her 75 goals while serving up a team-best 41 assists. She's also second on the team in steals with 26, and has scored at least once in every game this season with a team-high 21 multiple-goal outings. A 2024 Olympic silver medalist with Australia, Kearns leads USC in steals (37), drawn exclusions (40) and field blocks (13) to go along with her 70 goals slotted this season. Kearns picked up an MPSF Player of the Week pick earlier this season. She's scored in 20 different games this year and is second on the team in multiple-goal efforts with 18 to date.
Kearns has twice been selected as a finalist for the Cutino Award — in 2022 and 2023. USA Water Polo and The Olympic Club collaborates with the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches to name 20 players to the Watch List for the 2025 women's season. 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 is completely independent from the nomination and voting process for the Cutino Award, as that honor will acknowledge the full breadth of the 2025 season. Finalists will be announced following the completion of the women's season. USC already has one men's player named as a 2024-25 Cutino Award finalist in Max Miller.
Players Mentioned
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