Dec. 7, 2011

TUCSON, Ariz. -

Senior swimmer Cory Chitwood (Union, Ky.) and senior diver Ben Grado (Conifer, Colo.) were named Pac-12 swimmer and diver of the month, the Pac-12 announced Wednesday.

Chitwood is already off to a fast start this season despite missing the first two meets with an injury. Chitwood posted the fastest times in the country in the 200 IM (1:41.92) and 400 medley relay (3:06.98) on the first day of the Texas Invitational. In a dual meet win over USC, Chitwood was first in the 200 back (1:42.79) and 400 IM (3:50.96) while placing second in the 200 medley relay (1:28.18) and 100 back (47.82). He also won the 200 back (1:48.31) in Arizona’s victory over Wisconsin.

Chitwood was also named College Swimming’s Swimmer of the Week.

Grado won seven of eight events in November. At the USC Diving Invitational, he swept all three events, winning the 1-meter (367.95), 3-meter (424.15) and platform (338.10). He won both springboard events in the dual meet with the Trojans, scoring 368.83 on the 1-meter and 418.28 on the 3-meter. At the Wildcat Diving Invitational, Grado captured the 1-meter (372.45) and platform (378.60) and placed third on the 3-meter (384.20).

This is Chitwood’s third Swimmer of the Month award and Arizona swimming’s fifth all-time and Grado’s second career Diver of the Month award and the third for Arizona divers all-time.

For complete results and continued coverage of Arizona Wildcat Swimming and Diving, visit ArizonaWildcats.com.