Just a few weeks after committing to transfer to Virginia, Nick Radkov has decided to retire from the sport. He announced his decision on Instagram on Wednesday.
“Retirement doesn’t feel real but at the same time excites me for what’s to come,” Radkov said in the post. “Thank you to everyone who was (a part) of my journey.”
Radkov tells SwimSwam that his decision came because of a shift in focus to his academic pursuits.
“Being(a part) of the undergraduate business program at UNC, I realized that I can’t leave the business school as my professional career is my ultimate dream rather than swimming the next 2 years,” Radkov said. “I am excited to focus all my efforts on the pursuit of my future career in the financial world.”
Radkov swam at North Carolina for 2 years and was due to spend his last 2 years at Virginia before his change of heart.
Radkov scored 12 points at the 2023 ACC Championships with a scoring finish of 15th place in the 200 free. He scored 13 as a freshman thanks to a 14th-place finish in the same event.
He was the 7th-best individual scorer for the Tar Heels last season, and 5th-best scoring swimmer. Another of the team’s 15 individual scorers, Dylan Citta, is also leaving with a transfer to UNC Wilmington.
Radkov swam the anchor leg on UNC’s 5th-place 800 free relay at ACCs last year, splitting 1:33.91. They’ll also have to replace the graduated Tomas Sungalia from that relay (1:34.88), though Louis Dramm (1:34.64 leadoff) and Patrick Hussey (1:32.93) both return.
Best Times in Yards:
| HS BEST | FRESHMAN | SOPHOMORE | |
| 50 free | 20.83 | 20.31 | 20.14 |
| 100 free | 44.63 | 43.96 | 44.21 |
| 200 free | 1:36.75 | 1:34.67 | 1:35.03 |
After having strong drops as a freshman, especially in the 200 free, Radkov regressed a little in his sophomore season. He also peaked pre-ACC Championship meet, including going his best time in the 100 free in a dual meet against Duke three weeks before ACCs.
The ACC, like most D1 conferences, have eliminated intraconference transfer rules, meaning that Radkov is eligible to compete for the Cavaliers immediately.
Prior to college, Radkov swam for the Peddie School in Highstown, New Jersey.
Middle Market IB incoming
Not many swimmers choose the next 40 years over the next 4. Respect to Nick for that
I wonder if he signed with UVA. New transfer rules allow him to keep the scholarship for his remaining time there no matter what he does.
He’s staying at UNC.
Sometimes you think a change of environment is what you think you need to continue on with the sport but realize it might just be time to move on in general. Good on him for recognizing it could be the latter that’s the best for him.
Congrats! 2 years is a huge commitment, especially at that level. There’s so much to enjoy — take it all in! And continue loving the sport, even from a different side of the pool 😄
Retirement is for professionals.
Unrelated – William Yang from Australia needs surgery for a benign tumour so will be out for a few months.
bro saw how the UVA men performed last year and said nahhhhh