West Virginia University Athletics

2017-18 (Junior)

• All-Big 12 First Team
• Helped 200 medley relay team to a silver medal and school-record time of 1:25.97 at Big 12 Championship
• Also a member of school-record setting 400 medley relay team at Big 12 Championships (3:09.78 – won silver medal)
• Part of silver-medal-winning 200 and 400 free relay teams at Big 12s
• Won bronze in the 100 free at the conference meet, registering a B-cut time of 43.36
• Finished fourth in 50 free at Big 12s, earning an NCAA B-cut time of 19.57
• Took sixth in 100 back at Big 12s (50.13)
• A member of 200 (1:29.94) and 400 medley (3:19.53) relay teams that broke WVU Natatorium records against Pitt and Villanova, respectively
• Won 50 free (20.48) and was part of two first-place relay teams vs. Villanova
• Tallied four total wins against Pitt, including individual performances in 50 free (20.39) and 100 free (45.75)
• Also claimed four victories at TCU – two coming as a member of relay teams, as well as the 50 free (20.51) and 100 free (45.95)
• A member of 200 and 400 free relay teams that finished eighth at the Ohio State Invitational
• Raced in A final of 50 free at OSU, finishing in 10th place in 20.15
• Also swam in C final of 100 free and 100 back at the mid-season invite in Columbus, finishing in 22nd (44.83) and 25th place (49.40), respectively 
• Three wins at Big 12 vs. Big East Weekend came in 50 free, 100 free and 400 medley relay
• Opened the season with an impressive six victories at the West Virginia State Games, including individual wins in the 50 free and 100 back

2016-17 (Sophomore)

• All-Big 12 Second Team
• Big 12 Swimmer of the Week (Oct. 19)
• Big 12 Swimmer of the Week by CollegeSwimming.com (Oct. 18, Jan. 31)
• Bronze medalist in 100 backstroke at Big 12 Championship, touching the wall in 47.70 (NCAA B-qualifying time)
• Helped 200 medley relay, 400 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay teams to second-place finishes at Big 12 Championship
• Finished fourth in 100 freestyle after then-career-best and NCAA B-qualifying time of 43.60 at Big 12s; also placed fifth in 50 freestyle with an NCAA B-cut time of 19.59
• A member of four first-place relay teams, and he earned wins in the 50 free (20.89), 100 free (46.84) and 100 back (50.89) at West Virginia State Games
• Part of winning 200 free and 400 free relay teams at Big 12 vs. Big East Weekend; also won individually in 50 free (20.83), 100 free (46.38) and 100 back (50.90)
• Won 50 free (20.41) and 100 free (45.70) at Pitt
• Won 50 free (20.73), 100 free (45.83) and added a relay win vs. TCU
• Helped 400 medley relay team to a first-place finish at Bucknell (3:24.06), was a member of winning 400 free relay team and won 100 free by over a second-and-a-half (45.34)
• Won 100 back (50.24) at Villanova and helped two relay teams to first-place finishes

2015-16 (Freshman)

• Competed in the French Olympic Trials in the 50 and 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke
• Swam an NCAA ‘B’ qualifying and season-best time in the 50 freestyle (19.85) to place fifth overall at the Big 12 Championship
• Finished second in the consolation final and 10th overall in the 100 freestyle with a season-best time of 44.89 at the Big 12 Championship
• Placed sixth overall in the 100 backstroke at Big 12 Championship
• Member of the 400 freestyle relay team, placing second overall in 2:55.74 at the Big 12 Championship

High School    

• Swam at Lycee Privé de Rempart
• Three-time U-18 French champion
• Record holder in the 50 and 100 backstroke in Morocco
• Top-10 finish at the French Trials in the 100 backstroke (56.7)

Personal

• Son of Hicham and Valerie El Merini
• Has two brothers
• Birthday is October 6
• Majoring in international business