Twenty three-year-old Olympian and Wisconsin volunteer assistant coach Matthew Hutchins announced his retirement from competitive swimming on Wednesday through a statement to Swimming New Zealand.
Hutchins enjoyed a highly successful college career as a Badger, twice placing in the top five nationally in the mile and owning four school records before exhausting his eligibility in spring 2017. He also represented his native New Zealand at the 2013 World University Games, 2016 Olympics and 2017 World University Games.
“I won't lie and say that I have achieved everything I have wanted, or that I don't believe I have anything physically left to give,” Hutchins said in his statement to Swimming New Zealand. “I would have loved to continue to represent my country at the highest level, however, I know my heart and my mind are not in the sport to where I can truly keep giving the effort required to make it another four years.”
Hutchins retires as one of the most successful Wisconsin swimmers of all time and will graduate from UW in May.
Hutchins’ full statement can be found here: https://swimming.org.nz/article.php?group_id=30727
