STANFORD, Calif. – For the second straight season, Stanford redshirt junior Ben Hallock was named the winner of the Peter J. Cutino Award, presented to the nation's most outstanding collegiate water polo player.
As a repeat honoree, Hallock is just the fifth man to win the award multiple times, and just the second Cardinal player to do so. Tony Azevado won the award in four consecutive seasons from 2001-04.
"It's hard to express my feelings on being the Cutino Award winner for a second time," said Hallock via a video acceptance speech on USA Water Polo's YouTube page. "I am so thankful to the Olympic Club and the Cutino family for their continued support within the water polo community. To be recognized by the water polo coaches around the country is an honor.
"Congratulations to Luke [Pavillard] and Rade [Joksimovic] on your nominations and your unbelievable careers. To have an Australian and Serbian as finalists for the Cutino Award demonstrates that collegiate water polo provides opportunities beyond borders and nationalities."
Hallock is also a two-time Association of College Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) National Player of the Year (2018-19). In 2019, the Studio City, California, native led the Cardinal to its first NCAA title since 2002 – the program's 11th overall.
"To my teammates and coaches at Stanford – John Vargas, Jon Barnea, Brandon Johnson, Lea Maurer, Dr. Dutch, Sanam [Rezazadeh], Drew Holland and every one of my teammates - you are all what makes this game worth it and I will cherish memories of this last season for the rest of my life," Hallock added.
Hallock led the team in goals (73) for the third straight season and scored multiple goals in 18-of-22 matches, including five or more goals in seven of those matches. He is Stanford's active leader in career goals (194) and sits eighth all-time in program history.
A three-time ACWPC First Team All-American and two-time MPSF Player of the Year, Hallock scored a golden goal to lift the Cardinal to a heart-pounding 15-14 sudden-death overtime victory over USC in the NCAA semifinals. He followed up with a hat trick in the NCAA finals win over Pacific and was named MVP at the championship.