Irvine, CA - May 14 - USA Water Polo is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 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!
Brenda Villa Award (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Individual) - Brian Drumm
Brian Drumm has spent nearly two decades coaching water polo in the Chicagoland area and has dedicated much of that time to growing the sport and creating opportunities for athletes of all backgrounds. In 2015, Drumm founded Elmhurst Water Polo, serving as club director while building a sustainable and inclusive water polo community in Chicago's western suburbs. In 2021, the program merged with a local swim team to become Elmhurst Aquatics, where he is currently the club director for water polo. He also serves as the head coach at York High School and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Midwest Elite Water Polo League. Drumm has worked to create pathways for athletes of all ages and experience levels to learn, compete, and develop a lifelong connection to the sport of water polo.
Brenda Villa Award - Club (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Team) - District Blossoms
District Blossoms was founded in 2023 by master's teammates Dan Moorin, Heather Olson, and Robby Zhang as a beginner-friendly, offseason training medium for high schoolers in the DC metro area. Both Moorin and Olson were head coaches of different high school programs at the time, and found that accessibility to the sport was the biggest deterrent for both new players getting into the sport and current players wanting to continue playing it. The founders started the team with the singular mission of spreading the joy of water polo to everyone and anyone who wants to play, as they knew from their own diverse backgrounds and experiences that there is more than one pathway that the sport can take you.
Fast forward to today, District Blossoms has grown to include beginner and competitive options for an even wider age range of athletes. Key partnerships with Montgomery County to provide low-cost, introductory programming at their pools and local high schools to provide opportunities to experience water polo as a varsity sport have helped to lower the barrier of entry and increase visibility for the sport within the community. With even more initiatives underway to expand girls' programming and deepen youth outreach, District Blossoms remains dedicated to spreading the joy of water polo throughout the DMV.
Monte Nitzkowski Award (Elite Men's Coach) - Adam Wright
Already a member of both the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame and the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame, Wright added to his decorated résumé in 2025. The UCLA men's water polo program captured its second NCAA championship in as many years, beating crosstown rival USC in an 11-10 thriller, and sixth with Wright at the helm. He has now helped collect 10 total NCAA water polo titles for his alma mater: six as the men's head coach, two as a men's player, one as the women's head coach, and one as a women's assistant coach. Wright also earned his fifth MPSF Coach of the Year honor — and third in a row — as well as his fifth ACWPC National Coach of the Year selection. He boasts a 397-70 record across 18 seasons on the men's side and a 172-42 mark over eight with the women.
In the pool, Wright starred for Team USA at the 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games. He scored four goals and added a team-high nine assists to aid the Stars and Stripes in its run to a silver medal at Beijing 2008. Wright has also won gold three times at the 2003, 2007, and 2011 Pan American Games. He capped his playing days in Westwood with back-to-back NCAA championships in 1999 and 2000 and finished with 128 career goals. Wright completed each of his four seasons with All-MPSF accolades and was a three-time All-American performer.
Sandy Nitta Award (Elite Women's Coach) - Sabrina Carlile
Sabrina Carlile earned her undergraduate degree from Whittier College, where she competed as an NCAA water polo athlete from 2010 to 2014. She later earned her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington. She has served as an Assistant Principal at Braswell High School in Denton ISD since 2022.
Carlile began her coaching career in 2011 and has worked at both the high school and club levels, focusing on athlete development and competitive growth within North Texas. She serves as Technical Director for Texas Mavericks Water Polo Club, supporting coaches, training structure, and long-term athlete development. She began as a Southwest Zone coach with USA Water Polo in 2012. She joined the National Team staff as an assistant coach for the Development Girls Team in 2019, and now serves as Head Coach for the Development Girls National Team. In 2025, she served as Head Coach for Team USA at the PanAm Aquatics U15 Water Polo Championships, where the team earned a gold medal.
Bill Barnett Award (Scholastic Men's Coach) - Tom Davis
Tom Davis serves as the Commissioner of USA Water Polo's Men's National League, where he has helped lead the continued growth and evolution of one of the premier domestic competitions in the sport. Under his leadership, the league has expanded significantly in both participation and visibility, bringing together elite domestic athletes, international players, and top collegiate talent while elevating the overall athlete and fan experience. In addition to his work with the National League, Davis is the Club Director and Head Coach of Channel Islands United, one of the largest and most successful water polo clubs in the country, and serves as the Head Coach for Boys Water Polo at Buena High School. He is also the Head of Olympic Development for the Coastal Zone Boys program and a USA Water Polo Zone Board Member.
Known for his athlete-centered leadership style and commitment to growing the game at every level, Davis has dedicated his career to creating meaningful opportunities for athletes both in and out of the pool. His work spans high-performance development, grassroots growth, event operations, and mentorship, with a focus on building strong team cultures and sustainable pathways for the next generation of players. Beyond water polo, Davis is also active in nonprofit and advocacy leadership, serving as Board President of the Anteater Aquatics Foundation and contributing to national patient advocacy and medical education initiatives.
Doc Hunkler Award (Scholastic Women's Coach) - Christina O'Beck
Christina O'Beck, a 2018 graduate of the University of Michigan, was a three-time CWPA champion before returning to her alma mater community to begin her coaching career with Newport Beach Water Polo Club and Newport Harbor High School. Since joining the coaching staff, she has helped lead Newport Harbor to two CIF Southern Section Finals appearances, including CIF Southern Section and Regional Championships in 2021.
At Newport Beach Water Polo, O'Beck has guided teams to multiple national titles, including two 14U Girls Platinum Division Junior Olympic Championships (2023, 2025), one 16U Girls Platinum Division Championship (2025), and one 18U Girls Platinum Division Championship (2021).
Ted Newland Award (Development Men's Coach) - Molly Wilkinson
Molly Wilkinson is a coach at Longhorn Aquatics in Austin, Texas, as well as a high school teacher and coach at Anderson High School. Originally from Palo Alto, California, she played water polo at Henry M. Gunn High School before attending the University of Texas at Austin, where she played club water polo and began her coaching career with Longhorn Aquatics.
At Longhorn Aquatics, Wilkinson has worked with a wide range of age groups, with a primary focus on the developmental levels, including the 12U mixed and 14U boys teams. She has also contributed to the Olympic Development Program (ODP) as an assistant coach for the boys developmental age group in 2023. One of Wilkinson's most memorable coaching accomplishments came during the 2025 season, when the Longhorn Aquatics 14U boys team placed 10th in the Platinum Division at Junior Olympics. This result not only marked a significant achievement for the team but also represented the highest finish ever earned by a Texas team at the tournament.
While Wilkinson is currently focusing more of her time on her high school teaching and coaching responsibilities, she continues to stay involved with Longhorn Aquatics and remains committed to supporting athlete development at all levels. Her coaching reflects a dedication to growth, teamwork, and long-term athlete success both in and out of the pool.
Brent Bohlender Award (Development Women's Coach) - Jenna Williamson
Jenna Williamson took over the San Diego Shores 12U girls program in Fall 2024, after successfully leading the 10U team for two years. With 20 years of coaching experience across various age groups and skill levels, Williamson brings an incredible depth of knowledge and passion to her younger athletes. Her coaching journey began in 2007, when she served as a coach for both the girls program at Newport Harbor High School and the 12U girls at Newport Water Polo Club. In 2009, she moved to San Diego and became the assistant coach at UC San Diego Women's Water Polo. Over the next eight years, she helped shape the program, eventually being named Associate Head Coach in her third year. Williamson has served as a coach for the USA Olympic Development Program, working with both the San Diego and Orange County zones for several years.
Before becoming a coach, Williamson was a dedicated water polo athlete. She started her journey at the 12U level with the Newport Water Polo Foundation, was a 4-year varsity starter at Harbor High School, and went on to play at UCLA. Unfortunately, for a few of her years she was sidelined with injury, but took that opportunity to study the game further, and she views this time period as one of her most insightful experiences that helped her coaching career blossom. During her summers, Williamson worked as a beach lifeguard and Junior Lifeguard instructor, having spent her childhood in Newport Beach's Junior Lifeguard program, which was led by one of her female role models, Reenie Boyer.
Outside of the pool, Williamson enjoys the beach, graphic design, party planning, and reading. She and her husband—also a former water polo player—have two daughters, Maren and Mackenzie. Both girls are now active San Diego Shores athletes.
Bret Bernard Award (Elite Referee) - Ross Spiritosanto
Ross Spiritosanto was born and raised in Davis, California where he still lives today. Growing up with two brothers helped shape his competitive nature early on, pushing him to work hard and strive to be the best at everything he does. He began swimming at the age of six before discovering water polo in high school, a sport that quickly became a lifelong passion. His passion for aquatics eventually extended beyond playing. In 2011, he began refereeing water polo, combining his love for the game with his dedication to fairness, leadership, and competition in the pool.
Outside of water polo, Spiritosanto is the owner and operator of Pool pHenom, a pool service company, where he brings the same work ethic and attention to detail to his business that he is known for as an official. When he's not working or officiating matches, he enjoys spending time golfing, relaxing with friends and family, and staying connected to the water polo community that has been such a big part of his life. Whether in business, athletics, or everyday life, he takes pride in giving his best effort with energy, competitiveness, and a genuine passion for what he does.
Tom Hermstad Award (Scholastic Referee) - Courtney Bird
Courtney Bird was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, where she began playing club water polo with THills. She continued her water polo career through the CWPA while attending Portland State University, helping her team earn a trip to Nationals. Bird remains active in the sport today and continues to enjoy competing as a master's athlete.
Bird's passion for water polo extends far beyond playing. She began coaching at the recreational level at age 16 and continues to coach a club in order to help grow the sport in her community. Her love for the game also led her to officiating in 2009, following her high school graduation. Since then, she has officiated numerous USA Water Polo tournaments across the country, CWPA competitions, and multiple high school state championship finals. Bird values the unique perspective she brings as a player, coach, and official, and considers it a privilege to give back to the water polo community that has given her so much.
Aaron Chaney Award (Development Referee) - Audrey Hall
Audrey Hall has been involved in water polo for more than a decade. She began playing at age 11 and spent her junior high and high school years competing with Olympus and Skyline Water Polo. Hall continued playing at the collegiate level while studying at the University of Utah. In the fall of 2020, while still in high school, Hall discovered her love for officiating. With pools closed at that time, she focused on expanding her understanding of the game by learning the skills and nuances required to be a referee. Since then, she has traveled across the United States officiating local, regional, and national tournaments, helping ensure a safe, fair, and fun experience for athletes. Hall has officiated several high-profile games, including two gold medal matches at the Rocktober Classic in 2023 and 2025, as well as the gold medal match at the 2023 Champions Cup. When not playing or officiating, she works for Game On Live Studio as a commentator for the youth sports live-streaming company. A recent graduate of the University of Utah Honors College, Hall earned a BHA in English and a BA in French with a minor in Book Arts.
Club Sportsmanship Award - Lohaki
Lokahi Water Polo Club is a unique program that offers kids the opportunity to develop their character and water polo skills in the ocean. There aren't any other clubs that train exclusively in the ocean but still compete and represent Hawaii on the big stage at Junior Olympics.
The greatest parts of water polo are developing character and building connections along the way. Everywhere they go, Lohaki invites teams out to Hawaii with an offer to host. They maintain the tradition of "Omiyagi" whenever they travel and bring small gifts for the opposing teams. Lohaki's goal is to become the strongest, best people and players we can be while also bringing the "Aloha" to water polo.
Barbara Kalbus Award (Volunteer of the Year) - Jarod Stentiford
Jarod Stentiford is originally from South Africa and moved to the United States in 1997. Alongside his brother, he became one of the founding members of The Woodlands High School Water Polo Team in Houston, Texas. In 1999, Stentiford attended the University of Colorado, where he competed on the men's water polo team for five seasons. During his final three years with the program, he served as club president, helping lead and grow the organization.
After relocating to Atlanta in 2004, Stentiford quickly became involved with the Dynamo Masters Water Polo Club. His passion for developing the sport in Georgia led him to volunteer as a referee in the high school league in 2011, and by 2013, he had been named Head Referee for the Georgia High School Water Polo Association. In 2015, Stentiford stepped away from head referee to become the head coach of the Collins Hill Women's Water Polo program. Over the course of seven seasons, he guided the team to four state championships and three runner-up finishes, establishing one of the premier programs in the state.
In 2022, Stentiford retired from both high school coaching and refereeing to focus on athlete development at the regional level, serving for two years as coach of the ODP SEZ Women's Cadet Team. In 2024, he joined a group of coaches and Georgia Masters players in helping establish a new high school water polo league designed to better align the sport in Georgia with USAWP standards and development pathways. The Georgia Water Polo League was officially launched in the spring of 2024 and completed its inaugural season in the fall of that year. Today, Stentiford still serves as president of the GWPL and is preparing to begin his third season in the role.
Bryan Weaver Award (Male Masters Athlete of the Year) - Sergey Bushuev
Sergey Bushuev is a lifelong water polo player, coach, and administrator with more than 35 years of experience in the sport. Originally from Kazakhstan, he competed at the national and collegiate levels with Kazakhstan, St. Francis College, and University of the Pacific before capping up with New York Athletic Club. Bushuev then began coaching at Next Level Water Polo, Tampa Bay Water Polo, and Sarasota Sharks Masters Water Polo, where he conducts water polo skills clinics and training sessions for clubs across the region. His commitment to Florida-based water polo continued with a role as Treasurer on USA Water Polo's Southeast Zone Board. Bushuev combines decades of playing excellence with a commitment to coaching and leadership. His efforts continue to strengthen the foundation and visibility of water polo throughout Florida and the southeast United States.
Dion Gray Award (Female Masters Athlete of the Year) - Jennie White
Jennie White started playing water polo in 1997. Megan Hernandez taught her children how to swim and later started Oakland Master's Water Polo around 1998. Without much knowledge, White agreed to join the club and continues to run it with Lynn Wittsock. Oakland Master's Water Polo played in an open division in 2021, the first year women were allowed to play, and has entered every year and done extremely well in several age divisions. White also helped start the Soda Moms in Moraga, California around 2003. The club enters Master's Nationals most years and won gold at Worlds at Stanford in 2006. In addition to those programs, she also plays with Kevin Friedman's Yolo team and the Blue Thunder co-ed team when she can. Finally, White has been on the Master's Committee for almost 20 years and enjoys working to promote the sport for men and women. The committee is a great group, and the ideas exchanged and the willingness of the members to take on jobs is invaluable.
