Wayne State University Athletics

Khalil Ben Ajmia won the National Championship for the 1650 free on Saturday with a time of 14:57.68.  He became Wayne State men's first National Champion since Sasha Palazzo in 2019 and the first ever for the 1650 free.  The last Warrior men's freshman to stand atop the podium at the NCAA Championships was recent WSU Hall of Fame inductee, Joaquin Abascal Gallegos in 2010 (400 IM, 200 breast).  That finish was part of four as an NCAA All-American for Ben Ajmia including First Team in the 1000 free (second - 8:54.58), First Team in the 500 free (third - 4:18.75) and Second Team in the 800 free relay (ninth - 6:31.21).  The rookie also swam in the 200 free (38th - 1:42.51) and 400 free relay (19th - 3:00.25).  Ben Ajmia was responsible for 57.5 team points by himself, which would have been good for 19th in the team standings.