TUCSON, Ariz. – Rafael Quintero was named the 2016 Pac-12 Men's Diver of the Year, announced by the Conference office on Tuesday. The senior is the first Wildcat since Ben Grado and seventh all-time to earn the honor.

Quintero was runner-up twice at the 2016 NCAA Championships, coming in the 1-meter (438.40) and platform (482.30). He was only five points from breaking the school record in the platform and six away in the 1-meter. Quintero also scored a 99.00-point dive in the platform final. 

While qualifying for the National Championships, the diver earned two titles at the NCAA Zone E Championships. Quintero finished first in the 1-meter (782.20) and platform (853.05). He also took third in the 3-meter with 799.35.

The senior missed the Pac-12 Championships to compete at the FINA Diving World Cup in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Quintero qualified for the 2016 Olympics representing Puerto Rico after finishing eighth in the prelims with a score of 425.20. He is the fifth diver in Arizona history to make it to the Olympics and only the second male.

During the season, Quintero was named the Pac-12 Diver of the Month for two consecutive months. At USA Diving Winter Nationals, Quintero earned silver in the platform with a score of 1414.60. The diver also had success in dual meets, sweeping the 1-meter and 3-meter in all but two meets.

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