April 10, 2007

WALNUT CREEK, Calif. -

Arizona State University showcased a clean sweep of the men's diving awards as redshirt freshman Micky Benedetti was named both Pac-10 Newcomer and Diver of the Year, while head coach Mark Bradshaw was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year for the fifth straight year, Commissioner Tom Hansen announced today.

Benedetti, a native Rome, Italy, claimed Conference championships in both three-meter and platform events at the Pac-10 Championships in Federal Way, Wash.  He would then advance to win the title at the NCAA Zone-E Championship, where he also finished second in the 1-meter and third in the 3-meter.  Benedetti competed in all three diving events at his first career NCAA Championships, placing as the national platform diving runner-up with a score of 412.10 in the finals round.  Recently, Benedetti placed sixth in synchronized platform diving while representing Italy at the 2007 FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia. 

By receiving the Pac-10 Newcomer and Diver of the Year awards, Benedetti adds to his growing list of Conference acclaim, having earned Pac-10 Conference Diver of the Month awards for his performances during the months of December, 2006 and February, 2007.

In his 10th year at Arizona State, Bradshaw's direction of ASU diving helped the Sun Devil swimming and diving team to a fifth place finish at the Pac-10 Championships and earn a  22nd place finish at the NCAA Championships. Bradshaw, who has earned a pair of NCAA Diving Coach of the Year awards, has been named the Pac-10 Coach of the Year the past five seasons.

The Diver, Newcomer and Coach of the Year honors are determined by a coaches vote.