Hunter Danko Earns WCC Water Polo Player & Newcomer of the Week
10/6/2026 10:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
SAN BRUNO, Calif. — No. 11 Pepperdine water polo freshman Hunter Danko was named West Coast Conference (WCC) Player and Newcomer of the Week, announced today by the conference.
It marks Danko's second Newcomer of the Week honor this season and first Player of the Week nod. He is the second Wave to receive WCC Player of the Week this season, with Erik Ionescu also receiving the award on Sept. 22.
Danko matched a game-high four points in Pepperdine's lone matchup of the week at No. 14 LMU, scoring three goals to go along with an assist and a steal.
The freshman currently ranks seventh in the WCC with 34 goals this season, which ranks second on the Waves. He has now scored multiple goals in six straight efforts, including a career-high six goals against No. 1 UCLA on Sept. 26.
Danko is the first player to receive WCC Player and Newcomer of the Week in the same week this season, and becomes the second Wave to accomplish the feat in the four years of the WCC sponsoring water polo.
The Waves will continue WCC play next, traveling to Air Force with the opening sprint against the Falcons set for 11 a.m. PT on Saturday, Oct. 10.
ABOUT PEPPERDINE WATER POLO
Pepperdine water polo has seen success spanning decades under Terry Schroeder, who gave the reins to Merrill Moses following the 2023 season. Highlighted by its national championship in 1997 with Moses as the starting goalie, the Waves have reached the NCAA Tournament on 13 occasions and recently won the inaugural WCC Regular Season Championship in 2023. Overall, the program has seen 67 athletes garner All-American honors while boasting a winning record in 37 of 51 seasons.
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