Irvine, CA - April 8 - USA Water Polo is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 National Awards, honoring their excellent achievements. Established in 2010, the annual awards have each been named in honor of a person or people who have made an extraordinary contribution to the sport of water polo. Winners were chosen through a zone nomination process and then reviewed by a national selection panel. See below for a complete list of winners and their accomplishments. Awards will be presented to recipients during the upcoming Junior Olympics and Masters Nationals Championship.

Congratulations to all of our honorees!

Ryan Pryor - Monte Nitzkowski Distinguished Coaching National Award Winner (Men's Elite)
Ryan Pryor came to Augustana College in the summer of 2020 as the program's inaugural coach. The men's and women's programs began competition in the 2021-22 academic year and have since won three consecutive MPSF East Championships (Men) and two consecutive CWPA DIII Championships (Women). Both programs have qualified for the USA Water Polo Division III National Championship a total of 5 times, both finishing 3rd in their most recent appearances. Prior to Augustana, Pryor spent 6 years as the head coach at Virginia Military Institute. His .563 winning percentage at VMI is the 5th highest winning percentage in the history of VMI athletics across all sports (among coaches with 5+ seasons) and the highest since 1985.

Colleen Lischwe - Sandy Nitta Distinguished Coaching National Award Winner (Women's Elite)
Colleen Lischwe served as the head coach of both the men's and women's water polo teams at McKendree University prior to her passing on January 15, 2025. On the women's side, in her first season with McKendree, Lischwe was selected as the 2017 CWPA Midwest Division Coach of the Year. Prior to the start of the 2020 season, Lischwe was awarded the 2019 Sandy Nitta Distinguished Coaching Award in the Midwest Zone by USA Water Polo for her work developing women's water polo at the collegiate level. The 2022 team won a school record 16 games and finished with a 16-7 overall record, which was the program's first-ever winning record. During her first season at the helm of the men's squad, Lischwe earned the 2018 Coach of the Year Award at the CWPA DII Championships and was presented with the Dick Russell Coach of the Year Award at the 2018 MAWPC-West Conference Championships. Additionally, McKendree won their first MAWPC-West Conference Championship, ending the 20-game winning streak of Gannon University along the way and defeating Salem International University in the finals. Following the win, McKendree made their first appearance at the MAWPC Championship Tournament. In 2018, Lischwe was honored with the Monte Nitzkowski Distinguished Coaching Award for the Midwest Zone by USA Water Polo. In 2020-21, the men's season was played in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Bearcats went a perfect 7-0 and captured the MAWPC Tournament Championship as Lischwe was named the Coach of the Tournament. Prior to coaching at McKendree, Lischwe served as the head water polo coach at Kirkwood High School in St. Louis, MO. Additionally, Lischwe acted as the Midwest Zone Women's Cadet Coach from 2010-2016 through the USA Water Polo's Olympic Development Program and reprised this role in 2019.

Ulmis Iordache - Bill Barnett Distinguished Coaching Award (Men's Scholastic)
Ulmis Iordache began playing water polo at a young age in Romania where he was a member of one of the most prestigious clubs in the league, Steaua Bucharest. With Steaua, Iordache won two national titles, a runner-up, and a third place. Meanwhile, he represented Romania in several international tournaments. After graduating college in Bucharest, Iordache moved to Connecticut where he was one of the founders of the Greenwich Aquatics water polo club in 2007. As the Head Coach of Greenwich Aquatics, Iordache and his team achieved many things to be proud of and built one of the most successful water polo clubs in the country, placing multiple teams in the top tier of JOs, including a silver and a bronze medal, and developing numerous national team athletes, as well as an Olympian. Iordache has also been the Head Coach for the Brunswick High School Boys team since 2009 when the program started and has built the school's program to a national powerhouse, developing successful student-athletes with remarkable achievements. Since 2014, Brunswick has won every New England Prep School League Championship. In addition, he is the Head Coach of the Greenwich Academy High School Girls team and has been doing that since the inception of the program in 2016, winning the New England Prep School League 5 times. Iordache was very passionate about water polo since the first day he started playing, and that passion has continued to this day as a highly competitive coach with many things still to learn and many goals yet to achieve.

Brenda Villa - Doc Hunkler Distinguished Coaching National Award Winner (Women's Scholastic)
In the Olympic era of women's water polo, the most well-known name in the sport is Brenda Villa. The longtime captain of the USA Water Polo Women's National Team, Villa took part in four Olympic Games winning a medal every time. She capped her storied career with a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. A three-time FINA World Champion, Villa bridged the gap from the pioneers of the Team USA women to the modern day group. A native of Commerce, California, Villa first played high school water polo with boys before girls programs were available. From there, she headed to Stanford University where she won the 2002 NCAA title and was named the Cutino Award recipient as the best player in the college game. Named FINA Player of the Decade in 2010, Villa was also named Pac-12 Player of the Century in 2016. She remains close to the sport as a club and high school coach. Villa led the Orange Lutheran HS women's water polo team to the 2024 CIF Open Division Championship and a perfect 31-0 record. Her club team, Legacy Water Polo Club, finished third in 18u Platinum Division and sixth in 16u Platinum Division at Junior Olympics. Villa also acts as Assistant Coach for the United States Women's Cadet National Team who placed third at Pan American Games and seventh at World Championships.

Alex Kessinger - Ted Newland Distinguished Coaching Award (Boys Developmental)
Alex Kessinger grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. He discovered water polo as a high school junior and quickly fell in love with the sport. After graduating high school, he played two years at Mesa Community College. Kessinger's coaching journey began when his kids joined Brighton Polo and the team needed support—eventually leading him to become head coach. He now coaches at Olympus Water Polo and serves as the Mountain Zone Development Boys Assistant Coach. Though still early on in his coaching career, Kessinger thrives on the challenge and finds reward in helping athletes grow and improve.
 
Eric Gordon - Brent Bohlender Distinguished Coaching Award (Girls Developmental)
Before moving home to North Carolina, Eric Gordon coached for nearly 20 years with San Diego Shores and The Bishop's School where he worked side-by-side with Hall of Fame coach Doug Peabody. During that time, Gordon led Boys' and Girls' teams to 9 Junior Olympic Gold Medals and sixteen CIF Championships. Dozens of athletes went on to compete at the nation's top collegiate programs, many being selected for the U.S. National Team, and a few reached the Olympic Team. Perhaps the toughest challenge has been to develop youth water polo in North Carolina - a state with no age group or high school teams. Gordon moved to Greensboro in 2013 with his young family and wanted his children to have the opportunity to play when they were older. He joined the local masters team and volunteered to help launch a Splashball program. Four players multiplied into twenty and the program soon included middle school, high school, and adult players along with a handful of volunteer coaches. With the help of Ricky Cates, Nik Bravo, Nate Savoy, Mosaab Omar, and Jess Lee, Gordon expanded the program to include pools near Durham, Raleigh, and Charlotte, and in 2017, Carolina Water Polo Club was born. Players began training at multiple locations and there were soon enough athletes to form a traveling team (NC Select) and attend regional and national events. In 2019, the first ever team from North Carolina attended JOs in CA (16u Boys) and three years later NC Select's 16u Girls and 18u Boys won medals in Texas. Dozens of players have participated in the ODP program and a handful have reached NTSC.
 
Darren Spiritosanto - Bret Bernard National Referee Award (Elite)
Darren Spiritosanto got his start in whistling water polo during the fall of 2008 before embarking on a 15-year-and-counting career as a USA Water Polo referee. He is a two-time winner of the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation's Craig Rockhold Referee of the Year award (2021, 2023) and was named the USA Water Polo Bret Bernard Award Winner for elite competition in 2019. Spiritosanto is a distinguished Water Polo referee who has seen great success over the past few years. With a deep commitment to the game, he has officiated at some of the sport's most prestigious events including two World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. In addition to his International success, Spiritosanto recently whistled the Men's NCAA Championship final at Stanford University this past December.

Tyler Pagel - Tom Hermstad National Referee Award (Scholastic)
Tyler Pagel has officiated water polo for nearly 14 years and has had the privilege of serving as the Pacific Northwest Zone Head Referee for the past three years. Officiating at Junior Olympics each summer provides countless memorable moments, and he is inspired to see the sport continue to grow. Pagel is grateful for the mentorship of incredible officials who have taught and supported him throughout his time officiating.

Kyle Baumgarner - Aaron Chaney Distinguished Referee National Award Winner (Developmental)
Kyle Baumgarner was a standout USA Water Polo age group, high school, and NCAA player before transitioning into a rising star as a referee prior to his passing on December 11, 2024. A Junior Olympics All-American during his age group club days, he was a standout at Villa Park High School piling up a school record 340 goals on the water polo team while also excelling with the swim squad. In college, he competed for UCLA helping the Bruins claim two NCAA Championships. Internationally he was a member of the USA Men's Junior National Team competing at the Junior Pan American Games in Cuba in 1998. Baumgarner started officiating in summer of 2023 and he was a work horse, whistling a full schedule of high school games in addition to nearly every weekend with USA Water Polo. He was rising quickly through the ranks and already being considered for higher level games. Baumgarner participated in the 2024 Girls ODP Championship and won the Top Referee award for the Cadet Division. He also officiated in all three sessions of the 2024 Junior Olympics, calling advancement games in all three.
 
Colin Mulcahy - Bryan Weaver Distinguished Male Masters Athlete of the Year National Award Winner
Colin Mulcahy started playing water polo at 12 years old in Northern California, competing for Stanford Water Polo Club. He played 4 seasons for the California Golden Bears from 2012-2015, scoring 181 career goals while earning three All-American honors. After college, Mulcahy shipped off for a year in the Italian pro league, Serie A1. The Olympic Club has been his home for the past 10 years and he loves competing for the Winged-O with his teammates.
 
Allie Hill - Dion Gray Distinguished Female Masters Athlete of the Year National Award Winner
Allie Hill is a current member of the Peacocks (based out of Sacramento, CA) and the Wahoos (based out of Austin, TX). She was part of the 19+ Peacocks team that got 2nd in 2016, 1st in 2019, 2nd in 2021, and 2nd in 2022 at Masters Nationals. She was also part of the 30+ Peacocks team that got 1st in 2023 and 2nd in 2024 at Masters Nationals. Hill is a part of the SWZ Masters Committee, which runs the Spin Lob tournament in Austin, TX and ensures the SWZ provides opportunities for masters tournaments throughout the year. She is also a volunteer with Longhorn Aquatics Water Polo, and practices masters with both Longhorn Aquatics and Austin Water Polo. Hill is also a USA Water Polo referee in the SWZ and a TASO high school water polo referee. She is a Houston, TX native and currently resides in Austin, TX. Hill is extremely thankful for the friendships and opportunities she has made throughout her life being involved in water polo.

Tom Davis - Barbara Kalbus Distinguished Volunteer National Award Winner
Tom Davis a two-time UC Irvine All-American, where he set and still holds the UC Irvine water polo record for most consecutive starts, starting each possible game of his collegiate career from his redshirt freshman year in 1994, through the completion of his senior season in 1997. He was instrumental in leading UC Irvine to NCAA top 5 finishes each of his years as a starter. During his college years, Davis also had the privilege of competing with both the men's junior national team and national team programs. He began his water polo career at La Habra High School, where he was a two-time All-CIF selection, and freeway league player of the year his senior year. Currently, Davis is the Club Director for Channel Islands United Water Polo Alliance, where he also leads the 18U Boys Gold Team. He also coaches at Buena High School, where he surpassed 100 career wins last year. Davis serves as a member of the Coastal Zone Board, is the Head of Boys Olympic Development Program for the Coastal Zone, and was appointed Commissioner of USA Water Polo's National League for the 2025 season.

Prince Asante Sefa-Boakye - Brenda Villa Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Individual Award
Prince Asante Sefa-Boakye is a San Diego native from Coronado, CA with a global influence in our sport. Since 2021, Asante has dedicated himself to advocating for Water Safety and Water Polo by providing aquatic opportunities for marginalized communities of color in Southern California and throughout the continent of Africa with his club team and non-profit organization, Black Star Polo. Asante is a graduate of Coronado High School and served as team captain at California Lutheran University, where he earned All-SCIAC honors and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology.
 
Brooklyn Hustle - Brenda Villa Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team Award
Brooklyn Hustle Water Polo Club's mission is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and team-oriented culture where athletes of all backgrounds are welcomed and supported. Through scholarships and equity initiatives such as equal resource dedication to the girls and boys programs, the club ensures that every player has a chance to grow, compete, and excel in the sport regardless of their race, gender, or financial status. This has led to a 4x increase in novice and girls participation in the last three years, and has helped spur overall growth in water polo in the Northeast region.

Background on Award Namesakes

Monte Nitzkowski is synonymous with men's water polo in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s serving as head coach of the Men's Olympic Team in 1972, 1980, and 1984, leading Team USA to a bronze medal in 1972 and a silver medal in 1984. Nitzkowski also served as an assistant coach with the 1968 and 2000 Men's Olympic Team. Sandy Nitta is a pioneer for women's water polo. An Olympic swimmer as a teenager, Nitta segued to water polo and held the post as head coach of the Women's National Team during large parts of the 80s and 90s---leading Team USA to bronze medals at the 1986 and 1991 World Championships. She was also instrumental in the creation of Commerce Aquatics, a groundbreaking program.

Bill Barnett, an outstanding high school coach at Newport Harbor High School, with 10 CIF boys championships and five girls championships, initiated and coached the first USA Men's Junior National Team, then picked up where Nitzkowski left off in the 1980s, guiding the men's program to a silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games and a gold medal at the 1991 World Cup. Meanwhile "Doc" Hunkler, three-times named National Collegiate Coach of the Year, was a visionary for women's water polo who fought to have a true national women's collegiate championship and helped guide the programs at Slippery Rock University to unprecedented heights spanning three decades, including ten top-three finishes and a national women's collegiate championship in 1995. Hunkler also holds the distinction as the only coach to win both a men's and women's Olympic Festival Gold Medal.

Few have groomed more men for Olympic competition than Ted Newland. Entering the coaching scene in the late 1960s Newland turned the University of California-Irvine into a tenacious competitor, earning three NCAA titles as he coached well into the new millennium. Called by some the "godfather" of high school water polo in Northern California, Brent Bohlender's Women's Junior National Teams captured two bronze medals from 1984 to 1999; Bohlender amassed over 1,000 career victories on the scholastic circuit in his time at Johansen High School. Lastly, on the club circuit, Bohlender's Modesto-Stanislaus club won 18 National Championships over 34 years.

Bret Bernard, Tom Hermstad, and Aaron Chaney took US officiating to unparalleled heights during their time in the whites. As a past president of USA Water Polo, Bernard also whistled the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games and was the preeminent collegiate official for many years. Hermstad was a fixture at several Olympic Games whistling the 1972, 1976, 1984, and 1988 Olympic Games in addition to four World Championships and has worked tirelessly on behalf of water polo officials, helping to form the USA Water Polo National Referee Committee. Last but not least, Chaney capped an outstanding officiating career serving as the United States referee at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing as well as the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Long-time manager of the Men's National Team and holder of various offices since the incorporation of USA Water Polo, Barbara Kalbus gave back to the sport for decades, providing critical history for the USA Water Polo program and overseeing the official scoring table at various competitions in addition to numerous other roles.

Bryan Weaver founded Masters Water Polo for USA Water Polo in 1987, is an active player, and the current Masters Committee Chair. He has been a high school water polo coach for over 35 years. Dion Gray is a pioneer in women's water polo competing for Team USA in the 1970s, 80s and 90s. A FINA World Cup Gold Medalist and multiple time FINA World Championship medalist, Gray is a longtime coach at the high school, club and national team level.

Four-time Olympic medalist Brenda Villa carved out a legendary career in the pool as one of the best women's water polo players of all-time. Her impact on the sport is far from over as her work with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion takes center stage. Villa serves on the USA Water Polo Racial Equity & Reform Task Force, PanAm Sports Executive Committee and previously held a DEI position at The Castilleja School in Palo Alto, CA.

About USA Water Polo
USA Water Polo, Inc., is the national governing body for water polo in America, overseeing our United States Olympic program as well as 20 championship events annually, such as Junior Olympics and Masters National Championships. With more than 50,000 members, USAWP also is the sanctioning authority for more than 500 Member Clubs and more than 400 tournaments nationwide. USAWP is committed to the development of the sport throughout the U.S. It fosters grass-roots expansion of the sport, providing a national system of affiliated clubs, certified coaches, and officials.