GENEVA, Ohio -- Freshman Khalil Ben Ajmia (Tunis, Tunisia / Lycée Pierre De Coubertin) of the Wayne State University men's swimming and diving team placed first in the 1650 free on Saturday with a time of 14:57.68.  Ben Ajmia became the men's first National Champion since Sasha Palazzo in 2019 (100 breast) and first ever for the 1650 free.  As a team, Wayne State placed 14th among 36 teams with 107 points.

"This week, this season, was full of amazing experiences and performances," said head coach Sean Peters.  "I was so impressed with both our women and men at the NCAA Championships as we had 12 top-eight finishes, which included a relay, two runner-up finishes and an NCAA Champion.  This particular NCAA Championship was very difficult to qualify for, and once here, very difficult to make the finals.  The Warriors definitely did very well, and represented the 313 with our performances, and our spirit.  I am very proud of them."

The final top five teams consisted of Tampa (473), Drury (409), UIndy (359), McKendree (313) and Colorado Mesa (279).

The last Warrior men's rookie 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).  Ben Ajmia and his 20 team points was joined in the 1650 free by Trevor Jones (Farmington, Mich.) who placed 14th (three points) with a mark of 15:33.57. 

400 free relay - 19th - 3:00.25
Khalil Ben Ajmia
Trevor Jones
Clayton Kinnard (Dexter, Mich.)
Lorenzo Tassinari (Ravenna, Italy / Liceo Scientifico Oriani)