University of the Pacific student-athlete Mihailo Vukazic ’25 is a top three finalist for the Peter J. Cutino Award, which honors the best men’s water polo player in the country.

The Olympic Club named Vukazic a finalist alongside Ryder Dodd from UCLA and Max Miller from USC.

“I feel very proud and honored to be one of the finalists for this award, but what makes this so special is that it’s the best way to represent Pacific and my teammates,” Vukazic said.

Vukazic was the 2024 West Coast Conference Player of the Year, an All-America First-Team selection and an All-Conference First-Team honoree. He led the team with 63 goals in 20 games, including a pair of seven-goal performances and was a three-time WCC Player of the Week winner.

“What impressed me most about Mihailo was his ability to impact the game on both ends of the pool,” said West Coast Conference Coach of the Year James Graham. “Not only was he a dominant shooter and goal scorer, but he changed the way teams ran their offenses with his defensive presence. His work ethic, love toward adversity and commitment to the shared dream makes him a very deserving candidate for this award.”

Vukazic hopes to become the third winner of the award from Pacific and first since Balazs Erdelyi in 2014. The Tigers have garnered eight finalists in 14 years dating back to 2010.

Vukazic played a large role in the team’s 18-2 overall record and a perfect 6-0 in the West Coast Conference. With 12 hat tricks on the year, he helped the team win the West Coast Conference Regular Season Championship.

In the classroom, Vukazic was a WCC All-Academic First-Team selection. He holds a 3.59 grade point average as an art major with a concentration in graphic design.

The Cutino Awards, named for the best men’s water polo player in the country, will take place June 7 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. The ceremony will be live-streamed free of charge courtesy of USA Water Polo on Overnght.com. The broadcast will feature interviews with finalists, athletes and coaches and showcase the Cutino Award ceremony in its entirety.

Founded in 1860, The Olympic Club is one of the oldest athletic clubs in America and has fostered amateur athletics in San Francisco since its establishment. The Winged "O" currently fields teams in 17 sports. Additionally, The Olympic Club has hosted five U.S. Opens and will host the 2028 PGA Championship and 2032 Ryder Cup at its world-class Lakeside Clubhouse golf courses.