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Kris Mihaylov from Johannesburg, South Africa, has announced his intention to swim and study at the University of Virginia beginning in January 2026. He wrote on social media:
“I am thrilled to announce my verbal commitment to pursue my academic and athletic career at the University of Virginia. I’m grateful for the unwavering support of my family, coaches, teammates, and friends throughout this journey. Special thanks to Coach Todd and Tyler for believing in me and offering this incredible opportunity. I can’t wait to be a part of such an incredible team and program. GO HOOS! 🔶️⚔️🔷️”
Mihaylov, who turned 17 in November, is in his senior year of high school. He will join the Cavaliers in January 2026. (The South African school year runs from January to December; it is common for RSA student-athletes to join U.S. college teams in January.)
A freestyle specialist, Mihaylov also swims fly and IM. He is the South African national age group record-holder for 17-year-olds in the SCM 800-1500 free; for 16-year-olds in the SCM 100-200-400-800-1500 free and the 100-200-800-1500 free; and for 15-year-olds in the LCM 200-400-800-1500 free.
At the South African National Swimming Championships (25m) in September 2024, he won the SCM 200 free (1:44.77), 800 free (7:43.56), and 1500 free (14:57.56), was 3rd in the 100 free (48.19), and placed 5th in the 400 free (3:50.54). In December, he represented RSA at the World Aquatics Short Course Championships, where he clocked a PB in the 1500 free (14:52.53) and finished 15th.
Mihaylov’s converted times would have made him Virginia’s fastest miler this season (by 15 seconds) and 4th-fastest 500 freestyler. He will join an extraordinary UVA class of 2029 that also includes Maximus Williamson, Thomas Heilman, Nathan Szobota, Thomas Mercer, Blake Amlicke, Grant Murphy, Josh Howat, Noah Powers, Davin Lindholm, and Jackson Tishler, as well as fellow South African Chris Smith.
Best LCM times:
- 100 free – 50.60 (44.14)
- 200 free – 1:49.66 (1:35.90)
- 400 free – 3:55.37 (4:23.83)
- 800 free – 8:09.51 (9:08.47)
- 1500 free – 15:33.16 (15:14.86)
- 400 IM – 4:32.45 (3:59.68)
- 100 fly – 56.91 (50.00)
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All this just to get 11th at NCAAs
They just cut a freshman with equal times
I said it a few weeks ago, UVA must have a connection with the South African federation, good for them. With the monster class they have coming in next season, plus the few underclassmen that qualified for NCAAs this season, how many roster spots will they have open for the 2026 and 2027 classes? Not sure what the roster limits will be honestly
Does this addition force another roster cut? Or I imagine they know of potential transfers about to leave and this is a replacement (a good one) for a known opening
I’m counting 29 swimmers eligible to be on the roster next year, including the incoming class.
The working assumption would be five attrites, but they have another 2025 commit still unannounced. So six?
idk how it maths out but it looks like theyre basically replacing their entire current roster with the incoming class — who other than their 4 ncaa qualifers are likely to return?
Bring in a class of 13, still have 11 spots (depending on whether they stick with 24). The math above assumes 24 total spots, with 17 current swimmers with remaining eligibility.
wow so the frosh will be the majority of the roster, with 7 slots available for the non ncaa qualifying returning swimmers