UCI’s Hutten up for top NCAA water polo honor

UC Irvine senior Tim Hutten is a finalist for the prestigious Peter J. Cutino Award, given annually to the nation’s outstanding male collegiate water polo player, as voted upon by Division I coaches.

Hutten, a two-meter man, was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year after scoring 75 goals in the recently completed season. He led the nation with 3.75 goals per game.

He was this year’s recipient of the Vellekamp Award scholarship at UCI.

Hutten scored at least four goals in 10 of UCI’s 25 games, including a school-record nine in an 18-6, nonconference win over UC San Diego Nov. 7.

Hutten was named MVP of the MPSF Tournament after scoring 12 goals in three games as the fifth-seeded Anteaters advanced to the championship game for the first time in history. UCI finished 14-11 and was ranked No. 3 in the final national poll.

Joining Hutten as finalists are California’s Michael Sharf and USC goalie Adam Shilling.

The winner will be announced June 7, at the ninth annual Peter J. Cutino Awards Night Dinner at The Olympic Club in San Francisco.

The award is given annually in honor of the late Peter J. Cutino, the former University of California and The Olympic Club coach, who passed away in September 2004. Cutino, who is in the U.S. Water Polo Hall of Fame, was named national Water Polo Coach of the Year 17 times. He led Cal to eight NCAA national championships. During his career, Cutino also coached in the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games, the Water Polo World Championships and the World University Games.

— From staff reports