IRVINE, Calif. — Three members of the University of Hawai'i water polo team have been named to the Peter J. Cutino Award Watch List announced by USA Water Polo on Thursday.
 
UH senior attackers Alba Bonamusa Boix and Lucia Gomez de la Puente and sophomore center Bia Mantellato Dias were named to the watch list for the award presented by USA Water Polo and the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches which recognizes the best player in college water polo.
 
The three Rainbow Wahine standouts are among 22 players, as submitted by coaches around the country, named to the watch list for the award named for the late Hall of Fame coach. UH's three selections lead the way among the 17 teams represented on the list. Michigan, Stanford and UCLA each have two players on the watch list.
 
Bonamusa Boix was an AWPCA honorable mention All-American last year and is a two-time All-Big West second-team selection. She second on the team with 53 points this season with 30 goals and 23 assists.
 
Gomez de la Puente enters the week as UH's points leader with 55. She's tied with Bonamusa Boix with 30 goals and leads the 'Bows with 25 assists.
 
Mantellato Dias, an AWPCA second-team All-American and the Big West Player of the Year last season, leads the Rainbow Wahine with 37 goals through 15 games.
 
While it's possible the 2024 Cutino Award winner will come from the watch list, the 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 2024 season.
 
The fourth-ranked Rainbow Wahine (12-3) play host to No. 5 Southern California on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex.