UA Dominates Pac-12 Diving Awards

By Arizona Athletics, April 10, 2012

The UA's Ben Grado and Omar Ojeda received awards this week from the Pac-12.

UA men's diving took two of three categories in this year's Pac-12 awards. (Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics)
UA men's diving took two of three categories in this year's Pac-12 awards. (Photo courtesy of Arizona Athletics)

University of Arizona senior Ben Grado (Conifer, Colo.) and diving coach Omar Ojeda were named Pac-12 diver and coach of the year, Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott announced this week.

Grado was the first diver to sweep all three events at the Pac-12 Championships since Arizona State University's Micky Benedetti in 2008. He was the first Wildcat to capture a conference title since Ojeda won six events from 2001 to 2002.

Grado then capped his collegiate career by becoming the first diver in Arizona history to win the platform title at the NCAA Championships in Federal Way, Wash., with a score of 487.25. He also placed ninth on the 1-meter and 3-meter.

Ojeda completed his first season leading his alma mater. He coached two of his divers, Andres Guerra and Grado, at the NCAA Championships. Ojeda was a five-time All-American for Arizona from 2000 to 2002, earning Pac-10 Men's Diver of the Year in 2001 and 2002.

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