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Bulgarian Championships finalist Darina Rakova will be moving stateside for her collegiate career, having announced her commitment to swim for Texas Christian University beginning in the fall of 2026.
“I’m excited to share that I’ll be attending TCU the fall of 2026 and continuing my swimming career as a Horned Frog. This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my family, coaches, teammates, and friends, and I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way. I’m looking forward to growing both in the classroom and in the pool as I begin this next chapter. Ready for what’s next! #GoFrogs!”
Rakova is from Sofia, Bulgaria, where she trains for St. George Swimming Club and primarily specializes in backstroke and freestyle.
At the 2025 Bulgarian Championships (LCM) last summer, Rakova turned in a series of strong performances, earning a second swim in all three of her events. She placed 3rd in the 200 back (2:18.32), 4th in the 100 back (1:05.08) and 9th in the 50 back (31.03).
More recently, Rakova competed at the 2026 Bulgarian Open Team Championships (LCM) in April, where she clocked two season-best performances. She was the runner-up in the 100 back (1:04.50 – SB) and 200 back (2:19.79 – SB), and she took 3rd in the 50 back (30.71).
Most of Rakova’s top times still stand from previous seasons. She posted lifetime best times in the 100 back (1:04.04) and 200 back (2:17.63) at the 2025 Bulgarian Open Team Championships, and she logged her personal best times in the 100 free (59.44) and 50 back (30.33) at the 2024 iteration of the same meet.
Best Times LCM (SCY Conversion)
- 50 back – 30.33 (26.78)
- 100 back – 1:04.04 (56.61)
- 200 back – 2:17.63 (2:01.82)
- 100 free – 59.44 (52.10)
A Division I program in the Big 12 Conference, the TCU women finished 6th at this past season’s conference championships before sending one athlete, Nina Vadovicova, to compete at the NCAA Division I Championship. To earn a second swim at the 2026 Big 12 Conference Championships, it took times of 55.47/2:00.45 in the 100/200 back and 50.55 in the 100 free, putting Rakova outside the cutoff in each of her top events.
On the team itself, Rakova is poised to rank 4th in the 200 back, 6th in the 50 back and 6th in the 100 back based on her projected converted times, bringing some added depth to the roster.
The full list of recruits set to join Rakova in the pool this fall includes Anna-Grace Guenther, Kate Govin and Catherine Rowe, who should all make for strong training partners over the next four years.
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