RHS freshman named Swimmer of Year
Ruston freshman J.J. Hoover has been named the Louisiana Swimmer of the Year in the 13-14 age group. Submitted photo
Ruston High School freshman J.J. Hoover has been named the Louisiana Swimmer of the Year in the 13-14 age group by the Louisiana Swimming House of Delegates.
Hoover, one of the top swimmers in the nation, won seven state titles in the 13-14 age group in Baton Rouge in mid-July at the Louisiana Summer 14 and Under State Championship Meet.
He placed 1st in the 400m individual medley, 200m individual medley, 100m individual medley, 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, 100m butterfly, and 50m butterfly – setting state records in the 50m butterfly (26.22), 100m butterfly (57.37), and 200m butterfly (2:07.49).
He was named Swimmer of the Meet and won the High Point Award at the state meet in July.
In February, he won state titles in the 400m individual medley, 200m individual medley, 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, 200m backstroke, and 100m butterfly.
Hoover set state records at that meet as well in the 100m butterfly (51.19) and 200m butterfly (1:54.98) Outside of in- state events, Hoover won a pair of Southern Zone Championship titles in July ( 100m and 200m butterfly) in Midland, Texas.
Hoover is the only the second Bulldog Aquatic Club swimmer to ever win an event at Zones. He won the 200m butterfly (2:07.93) and the 100m butterfly (57.73) to go with a 3rd place finish in the 200m individual medley in 2:15.81.
Hoover will have an opportunity for more state title hardware at the LHSAA state swimming meet Nov 20-23 in Sulphur, Louisiana.
