Fresno State Athletics
Benson receives Sandy Nitta Distinguished Coaching Award
2/5/2019 1:03:00 PM | Water Polo
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – USA Water Polo announced that Fresno State head coach Natalie Benson was the recipient of the 2018 Sandy Nitta Distinguished Coaching Award for the Central California Zone.
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"It is an honor to be recognized by USA Water Polo and members of our Central California Zone," Benson said. "I am proud to represent the Central Valley, and excited about what can be built in our region. Coach Nitta was an instrumental part of getting women's water polo recognized on the international stage, and helped lay the ground work for the career that I was able to have and all those that come after. She was a trailblazer as a female coach, and I am proud to have earned an award named in her honor."
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Benson was one of 11 coaches to receive the prestigious award across 11 zones in the United States. Each zone award winner was then eligible for the national Sandy Nitta Distinguished Coaching Award. Southern Pacific Zone winner Dan Klatt was later revealed as the national winner at the annual USA Water Polo National Awards dinner.
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Benson's honor marked her second career coaching award from USA Water Polo. In 2011, she was awarded the Doc Hunkler Distinguished Coaching Award, presented annually to the top scholastic coach in the nation.
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Fresno State's second-year head coach led the water polo program to a 7-18 (3-4 GCC) record in its inaugural season. The team advanced to the fifth-place game of the 2018 Golden Coast Conference postseason tournament. Her 2018 team saw two individuals earn GCC accolades – GCC Co-Newcomer of the Year and an All-GCC second-team selection.
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Following eight consecutive road contests against programs ranked nationally inside the top 16 to open the season, Fresno State (2-8) will host its 2019 home opener on Friday, Feb. 8 against Fresno Pacific at 5:30 p.m. PT at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.Â
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"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
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Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWP
Instagram: fresnostatewp
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"It is an honor to be recognized by USA Water Polo and members of our Central California Zone," Benson said. "I am proud to represent the Central Valley, and excited about what can be built in our region. Coach Nitta was an instrumental part of getting women's water polo recognized on the international stage, and helped lay the ground work for the career that I was able to have and all those that come after. She was a trailblazer as a female coach, and I am proud to have earned an award named in her honor."
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Benson was one of 11 coaches to receive the prestigious award across 11 zones in the United States. Each zone award winner was then eligible for the national Sandy Nitta Distinguished Coaching Award. Southern Pacific Zone winner Dan Klatt was later revealed as the national winner at the annual USA Water Polo National Awards dinner.
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Benson's honor marked her second career coaching award from USA Water Polo. In 2011, she was awarded the Doc Hunkler Distinguished Coaching Award, presented annually to the top scholastic coach in the nation.
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Fresno State's second-year head coach led the water polo program to a 7-18 (3-4 GCC) record in its inaugural season. The team advanced to the fifth-place game of the 2018 Golden Coast Conference postseason tournament. Her 2018 team saw two individuals earn GCC accolades – GCC Co-Newcomer of the Year and an All-GCC second-team selection.
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Following eight consecutive road contests against programs ranked nationally inside the top 16 to open the season, Fresno State (2-8) will host its 2019 home opener on Friday, Feb. 8 against Fresno Pacific at 5:30 p.m. PT at the Fresno State Aquatics Center.Â
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"Just the Ticket to Build Our Community" – The Bulldog Scholarship Fund gives Bulldog alumni, fans and friends the opportunity to support Fresno State Athletics and the student-athletes who inspire them. For information about how you can support the Bulldog Scholarship Fund, please visit www.bulldogscholarshipfund.com or call 559-278-7160.
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Follow us on:
Twitter: @FresnoStateWP
Instagram: fresnostatewp
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