Ryann Neushul Among Finalists for the Prestigious Cutino Award
SAN FRANCISCO – In an exciting development for collegiate water polo, Ryann Neushul, a standout athlete for the Stanford Cardinal, has secured her place as one of the three finalists for the esteemed Peter J. Cutino Award. This accolade, first presented in 1999, honors the most outstanding female collegiate water polo player in the nation, as determined by NCAA Division I coaches.
Celebrating Excellence in Women’s Water Polo
Neushul will vie for the award alongside fellow finalists Emily Ausmus and Tilly Kearns, both hailing from USC. The anticipation builds as the winner will be unveiled at the annual Cutino Awards Dinner, scheduled for Saturday, June 7, at the prestigious Olympic Club in San Francisco. For those unable to attend, the ceremony will be livestreamed on Overnight.com.
Stanford’s Legacy in Water Polo
The Stanford Cardinal boasts a rich history of success in women’s water polo, with seven players accumulating a total of 10 Cutino Awards. Notable past winners include:
- Aria Fischer (2023)
- Makenzie Fischer (2019, 2022)
- Kiley Neushul (2012, 2015)
- Annika Dries (2011, 2014)
- Melissa Seidemann (2013)
- Jackie Frank (2003)
- Brenda Villa (2002)
A Historic Career Culminates
Neushul’s illustrious career culminated in a monumental achievement as she became Stanford’s first four-time NCAA champion in the school’s history, following the Cardinal’s impressive 11-7 victory over USC in the NCAA final on May 11. After taking a year off to train with Team USA ahead of the Paris Summer Olympics, she returned for a seventh season, leading Stanford to its 10th NCAA championship and third in just four years.
Stellar Season Performance
Recognized for her outstanding contributions, Neushul was named to both the NCAA All-Tournament Team and the MPSF All-Tournament Team in 2025. Throughout the season, she started all 26 games and led the Cardinal in multi-goal games (20), while ranking second in goals (60), assists (39), and shot attempts (105). With 228 career goals, she leaves a legacy that positions her fifth all-time in Stanford’s history.
Honors and Academic Achievements
Carrying the torch of excellence, Neushul follows in the footsteps of her sisters, Kiley and Jamie. She was notably honored as Stanford’s eighth MPSF Player of the Year and became a four-time all-conference athlete. Impressively, she is also among the few in MPSF history to achieve both Player of the Year and Newcomer of the Year accolades in 2019.
With a strong possibility of earning a fourth ACWPC All-American title, Neushul’s accolades do not stop on the playing field. A three-time ACWPC All-Academic and MPSF All-Academic honoree, she maintains a 3.78 GPA in human biology. Beyond her academic pursuits, Neushul contributes to the community as a teaching assistant for an on-campus Spanish service learning course and actively participates in Stanford’s Bridge Peer Counseling Center.
About the Olympic Club
Established in 1860, the Olympic Club proudly ranks as one of America’s oldest athletic clubs, nurturing amateur athletics in San Francisco since its inception. The Winged "O" currently supports teams in 17 sports and has hosted prestigious events such as five U.S. Opens, with plans to host the 2028 PGA Championship and the 2032 Ryder Cup at its exceptional Lakeside Clubhouse golf courses.
For more on collegiate water polo and athlete achievements, visit NCAA Women’s Water Polo. Let’s celebrate these remarkable athletes who inspire excellence both in sports and academics!
