IRVINE, Calif. -  LMU women's water polo's Anna Tarantino has been named to the 2026 Cutino Watch List. The LMU senior currently ranks 10th in the Golden Coast Conference in goals and leads the conference in field blocks with more than double the amount then the next closest player. In GCC games, no player averages more steals per games than Tarantino.

USA Water Polo and The Olympic Club have collaborated with the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) on the Cutino Award Watch List. 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 each year. This watch list was created in 2022 to help promote the college game, awareness of the award, and the excellent play of athletes across the country. The top 20 athletes, as submitted by varsity college coaches, have been recognized for their outstanding play. While it's possible the 2026 Cutino Award winner will come from the list of athletes below, this list of honorees is completely independent from the nomination and voting process of the Cutino Award as that honor will acknowledge the full impact of the 2026 season.

Athletes are listed in alphabetical order
 

1. Emily Ausmus | University of Southern California | Sophomore | Attacker
2. Julia Bonaguidi | University of California, Berkeley | Junior | Attacker
3. Christine Carpenter | Stanford University | Junior | Goalkeeper
4. Orli Cooper | Harvard University | Sophomore | Goalkeeper
5. Juliette Dhalluin | Stanford University | R-Junior | Attacker
6. Despoina Drakotou | University of California, Berkeley | Freshman | Utility
7. Jenna Flynn | Stanford University | R-Junior | Attacker
8. Rachel Gazzaniga | University of Southern California | Junior | Center
9. Alex Love | Brown University | Senior | Attacker
10. Bia Mantellato | University of California, Los Angeles | Senior | Center
11. Lucy Miszewski | Long Beach State University | Senior | Utility
12. Anna Pearson | University of California, Los Angeles | Senior | Utility
13. Millie Quin | Arizona State University | Senior | Attacker
14. Abigail Schechter | University of California, San Diego | Junior | Attacker
15. Francesca Sena | Wagner College | Senior | Goalkeeper
16. Taylor Smith | University of California, Los Angeles | Senior | Attacker
17. Darcy Spark | San Jose State University | Junior | Attacker
18. Ava Stryker | University of Southern California | Junior | Attacker
19. Anna Tarantino | Loyola Marymount University | Graduate | Utility
20. Feline Voordouw | University of California, Berkeley | Junior | Center

Tarantino is a five-year Lion from Naperville, Illinois, joining the program as a freshman ahead of the 2021-22 season. Tarantino is a three-time GCC All-Academic Team with Superior recognition. In the 2025 season she was named second team All-GCC.

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