Senior swimmers Charlie Hawke and graduate student Diana Petkova have not just stood out in 2025, but have had stellar performances throughout their careers.
Both swimmers are international athletes, with Petkova from Bulgaria and Hawke from Australia. Traveling worldwide for school can be extremely tough; however, both said the experience will stay with them forever.
“I’m definitely really close with the other international students, because we understand what its like to come from a different country,” Hawke said. “From the minute I stepped on campus … everyone on the team became a family, like instantly accepting.”
Although the transition from one country to the other may not be the same for everyone, Hawke said that he was fortunate to come from an English-speaking country, so he did not experience a language barrier like many other athletes, including Petkova.
“I guess for me, it was really hard because of the language barrier,” Petkova said. “When I came here, there were other international girls, and I had a lot of support, and at the same time, our team is very supportive to us.”
While they compete for Alabama, they both represent their home countries. Recently, Petkova set a new Bulgarian record in the 100-meter medley at the World Aquatic Championships.
Petkova is no stranger to competing on the world stage. She said the highlight of her career was representing Bulgaria at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
“Making the Olympic team, its every athlete’s dream, so thats the highest point of my career,” she said.
However, her recent performance at the WAC is still fresh in everyones minds, and her national record remains at the top of her accomplishments. It was her first appearance in the world final, and she was the first Bulgarian woman to make an appearance.
“I feel like I made history, and that’s something thats going to stay forever,” she said.
Hawke’s home country has always been one of the blue bloods for swimming. While he hasn’t been able to compete for Australia in the Olympics yet, that hasn’t kept him from trying. He competed in three events at the Australian swimming trials before the most recent Summer Olympics, setting a personal best in the 100m butterfly.
“Australia is a very selective country when it comes to swimming. So being able to compete against the best in the world and put up good results is definitely a big highlight,” Hawke said.
Both athletes said they appreciated the attention smaller sports, such as swimming, get at the University.
“I think a pretty unique part of being in college is you’re surrounded by so many other sports,” Hawke said. “And the great thing about Alabama is pretty much all of them are good, and so you get to go and be exposed to elite level sports anywhere you go.”
Hawke is a member of the Red Man Group, a group of swimmers who paint themselves in red paint and support other sports. When College Gameday came to Tuscaloosa, he was with his teammates on TV right behind former head coach Nick Saban.
“Its fantastic that we get to go out and support other sports. We see these athletes every day in the dining hall and in our classes,” he said. “Its amazing to go and support them doing what they’re best at, and it gets the swim team a little exposure.”
Hawke and Petkova’s seasons aren’t over yet. On Tuesday they began competing in the SEC championships, proudly representing Alabama and their home countries.
“Its a special part of who I am as a swimmer, being able to represent Australia while here at Alabama and in the NCAA,” Hawke said.
Petrova talked about how grateful she is to live in a country that values sports.
“Being able to come here to a country that really cares about sports and gives a lot to it, and the people appreciate sports … its just amazing,” she said.
