University Southern California Trojans
Emily Ausmus Repeats As Peter J. Cutino Award Finalist
May 13, 2026 | Women's Water Polo
Ausmus has been selected as a finalist for the top award in NCAA Division I water polo for the second straight season.
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. – USC captain Emily Ausmus continues her impressive sophomore campaign by being named a finalist for the Peter J. Cutino Award.
Ausmus led the Trojans in goals for the second straight season with 77 and totaled 107 points on the year. She helped guide USC to the program's eighth national championship and first since 2021 with a dominant performance throughout the NCAA Tournament. Ausmus recorded nine points on six goals and three assists on her way to earning NCAA Tournament MVP and NCAA All-Tournament First Team honors.
Ausmus also became the first player in MPSF women's water polo history to follow a Newcomer of the Year campaign with MPSF/Delfina Player of the Year honors in consecutive seasons. The All-MPSF First Team selection added 39 steals and posted a 27-2 record in sprints this season.
Ausmus' finalist selections gives USC 26 such honors in program history. Since the award's inception in 1999, USC women have collected nine Cutino Awards. Past USC women's Cutino Award winners are: Bernice Orwig (1999), Aniko Pelle (2000), Moriah Van Norman (2004), Lauren Wenger (2006), Kami Craig (2009 & 2010), Stephania Haralabidis (2016), Amanda Longan (2018) and Maud Megens (2021).
Established in 1999 by The Olympic Club, the Cutino Award is given annually to the top men's and women's NCAA Division I water polo players as voted on by coaches from across the country. The namesake of the award is a legend in United States water polo history, with eight NCAA titles as head coach at Cal. The Olympic Club has a long and distinguished competitive water polo history, a tradition that continues today in the pool with some of the best age-group teams in the world.
The Cutino Awards will take place on the evening of Saturday, June 6 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. The ceremony will be live streamed at Overnght.com. The broadcast will feature interviews with finalists, athletes, coaches plus the Cutino Award ceremony in its entirety.
ABOUT THE OLYMPIC CLUB
Founded in 1860, The Olympic Club enjoys the distinction of being among the oldest athletic clubs in America. Since its birth, The Olympic Club has fostered amateur athletics in San Francisco. The Winged "O" currently fields teams in 17 sports. Additionally, The Olympic Club has hosted five U.S. Opens, and looks forward to hosting the 2028 PGA Championship and 2032 Ryder Cup at its world-class Lakeside Clubhouse golf courses.
Ausmus led the Trojans in goals for the second straight season with 77 and totaled 107 points on the year. She helped guide USC to the program's eighth national championship and first since 2021 with a dominant performance throughout the NCAA Tournament. Ausmus recorded nine points on six goals and three assists on her way to earning NCAA Tournament MVP and NCAA All-Tournament First Team honors.
Ausmus also became the first player in MPSF women's water polo history to follow a Newcomer of the Year campaign with MPSF/Delfina Player of the Year honors in consecutive seasons. The All-MPSF First Team selection added 39 steals and posted a 27-2 record in sprints this season.
Ausmus' finalist selections gives USC 26 such honors in program history. Since the award's inception in 1999, USC women have collected nine Cutino Awards. Past USC women's Cutino Award winners are: Bernice Orwig (1999), Aniko Pelle (2000), Moriah Van Norman (2004), Lauren Wenger (2006), Kami Craig (2009 & 2010), Stephania Haralabidis (2016), Amanda Longan (2018) and Maud Megens (2021).
Established in 1999 by The Olympic Club, the Cutino Award is given annually to the top men's and women's NCAA Division I water polo players as voted on by coaches from across the country. The namesake of the award is a legend in United States water polo history, with eight NCAA titles as head coach at Cal. The Olympic Club has a long and distinguished competitive water polo history, a tradition that continues today in the pool with some of the best age-group teams in the world.
The Cutino Awards will take place on the evening of Saturday, June 6 at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. The ceremony will be live streamed at Overnght.com. The broadcast will feature interviews with finalists, athletes, coaches plus the Cutino Award ceremony in its entirety.
ABOUT THE OLYMPIC CLUB
Founded in 1860, The Olympic Club enjoys the distinction of being among the oldest athletic clubs in America. Since its birth, The Olympic Club has fostered amateur athletics in San Francisco. The Winged "O" currently fields teams in 17 sports. Additionally, The Olympic Club has hosted five U.S. Opens, and looks forward to hosting the 2028 PGA Championship and 2032 Ryder Cup at its world-class Lakeside Clubhouse golf courses.
Players Mentioned
ATT
/ Women's Water PoloUSC Women’s Water Polo Wins 2026 National Championship | Full Press Conference
Wednesday, April 29
Women's Water Polo Wins 2026 NCAA Title | USC Defeats Cal 10-9
Sunday, April 26
USC Women's Water Polo vs UCLA Highlights | Trojans win 11-10 to earn trip to NCAA Championship
Saturday, April 25
USC Water Polo's Emily Ausmus | Trojans Live 3.24.25
Monday, March 24
