Orli Cooper was named to the 2026 Cutino Award Watch List, according to a March 26 announcement by the Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches, USA Water Polo, and The Olympic Club.
The Peter J. Cutino Award recognizes the best player in men’s and women’s college water polo each year. The creation of the watch list in 2022 aims to promote college water polo and highlight outstanding athletes across the country.
Cooper is one of two goaltenders among the twenty athletes named to this year’s watch list. This marks her first time receiving this national honor. She joins Maya O’Dea as one of two players from her roster selected for recognition.
Cooper has been recognized four times as CWPA Defensive Player of the Week and has played a significant role in her team’s recent success. In her first two seasons as starting goalie, she posted a record of 49 wins and 10 losses. This season, she has helped lead her team to a 23-3 record and its best start in program history through twenty games after opening with nineteen wins and one loss. With an average of 6.8 saves per game, Cooper contributed to her team’s rise as high as No. 7 in the CWPA polls.
Harvard will close out its regular season next weekend with games against Providence.
