BRIDGEPORT, Pa. — Several former Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) athletes were recognized among the winners of 2025 National Awards from USA Water Polo.
Established in 2010, the annual awards system is 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 USA Water Polo 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.
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 in 2025.
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.
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 the National Collegiate Club Championship. 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 in the CWPA 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.
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 Brooklyn 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.
