by Malcolm Butler

Joseph Amiano, JJ Hoover and Camdyn Napper all earned state titles and were all-state honors to lead the Bulldog Aquatic Club competing at the Louisiana Summer 14 and Under State Championships in Baton Rouge last week.

The meet included the fastest and best 14 and under swimmers in the entire state of Louisiana competing in age groups of 10 and under, 11-12, and 13-14. 

All-state honors were earned by anyone placing in the top three of an event.

“The athletes really competed well this weekend,” said BAC Coach Rocky Smith. “It was a complete team effort. All the athletes swam lifetime best times and showed tenacity racing their competitors.”

Amiano (12) finished first in the 50m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly and 50m freestyle while finishing runner-up in the 200m freestyle and 50m backstroke.  He was the High Point runner-up in the 11-12 age group.

Napper (14) won the 200m and 400m individual medley while finishing runner-up in the 200m butterfly and 400m freestyle. He also placed third in the 200m breaststroke and 800m freestyle.  Along the way, Napper won the High Point award in the 13-14 age group.

Hoover (13) captured the 200m breaststroke while finishing second in the 400m individual medley and the 100m butterfly. He also placed third in the 200m butterfly and 200m backstroke.

“We had three athletes (Amiano, Hoover, and Napper) score over 100 points each in the meet,” said Smith. “That is outstanding and something only a few teams can boast. The relays were sensational. This was the most relays we have had as a team in several seasons which is so awesome. I am so proud of everyone and how they represented Bulldog Aquatic Club and the community of Ruston.”

For more information including contact information about Bulldog Aquatic Club.  Please go to https://www.teamunify.com/team/labac/page/home.

The athletes competing are as follows (note by age group and events are in performing order):

11-12 Girls

Jesse Groce (12) was 30^th in the 50 Breaststroke.

Julie Groce (12) was 26^th in the 50 Breaststroke.

Emily Xu (12) was 20^th in the 50 Butterfly, 35^th in the 100 Freestyle, 34^th in the 50 Breaststroke, 17^th in the 100 Butterfly, 23^rd in the 50 Backstroke, and 12^th in the 50 Freestyle. 

The relay teams Mikayla “MJ” Colvin (11), Jesse Groce (12), Julie Groce (12), and Emily Xu (12) were 13^th in the 12 and under 200 Freestyle Relay, and 14^th in the 12 and under 200 Medley Relay. 

13-14 Girls

Bre Senn (13) was 27^th in the 100 Backstroke, 27^th in the 100 Freestyle, 19^th in the 100 Butterfly, 29^th in the 200 Individual Medley, and 16^th in the 50 Freestyle. 

The relay teams of Jesse Groce (12), Julie Groce (12), Bre Senn (13), and Emily Xu (12) were 19^th in the 14 and under 400 Freestyle Relay and 20^th in the 14 and under 400 Medley Relay. 

11-12 Boys

Joseph “G” Amiano (12) was 1^st in the 50 Butterfly, 2^nd in the 200 Freestyle, 1^st in the 100 Freestyle, 1^st in the 100 Butterfly, 2^nd in the 50 Backstroke, and 1^st in the 50 Freestyle. 

The relay teams made up of Joseph “G” Amiano (12), Simon Fletcher (12), Dallas Gouedy (11), and Jackson Smith (11) were 12^th in the 12 and under 200 Freestyle Relay and 10^th in the 12 and under 200 Medley Relay. 

13-14 Boys

 John “JJ” Hoover (13) was 2^nd in the 400 Individual Medley, 3^rd in the 200 Butterfly, 1^st in the 200 Breaststroke, 2^nd in the 100 Butterfly, 4^th in the 200 Individual Medley, and 3^rd in the 200 Backstroke. 

Camdyn Napper (14) was 1^st in the 400 Individual Medley, 2^nd in the 200 Butterfly, 3rd in the 200 Breaststroke, 2^nd in the 400 Freestyle, 3^rd in the 800 Freestyle, and 1^st and in the 200 Individual Medley. 

Paul St. Cyr (14) was 24^th in the 100 Breaststroke. 

The relay teams made up of Paul St. Cyr (14), John “JJ” Hoover (13), Camdyn Napper (14), Tristan Nassar (13) were 7^th in the 14 and under 200 Freestyle Relay and 7^th in the 14 and under 200 Medley Relay. 

The relay teams made up of Joseph “G” Amiano (12), Paul St. Cyr (14), John “JJ” Hoover (13), and Camdyn Napper (14) were 6^th in the 14 and under 400 Freestyle Relay and 4^th in the 14 and under 400 Medley Relay. 

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