SAN DIEGO – San Diego State water polo's Claudia Valdes has earned inclusion on the 2024 Peter J. Cutino Award Watch List. The announcement was made on Thursday from the USA Water Polo national headquarters in Irvine, Calif.
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. This watch list was created in 2022 in an effort to help promote the college game, awareness of the honor, and the excellent play of athletes around the country. The top 22 female athletes on the Cutino Award Watch List, as submitted by varsity college coaches around the country, are recognized for their outstanding play.
The native of Madrid, Spain, leads the Aztecs in shots (83), goals (51), points (73), shot percentage (.614), steals (24) and blocks (12), and is second in assists (22).
Among Golden Coast Conference performers, the sophomore attacker ranks No. 2 in points and blocks, No. 3 in goals, No. 6 in steals, and No. 9 in assists, and nationally is No. 3 in blocks, No. 7 in points, No. 10 in goals.
The award is voted on by college coaches in collaboration with The Olympic Club and the American Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Association.
Valdes is the first Aztecs to earn inclusion on the Cutino Award Watch. The last time an Aztecs was recognized in conjunction with the award was in 2004 when Holly Hartzell was one of four finalists.