Hoover earns Louisiana Swimming Athlete of the Year

By Kyle Roberts

Ruston High School freshman and Bulldog Aquatic Club swimmer JJ Hoover has been named the 2023-24 Male Athlete of the Year for the 13-14 year old age group by the Louisiana Swimming House of Delegates, comprised of voting athletes and coaches from all over the state.

“This means so much, ” Hoover said. “I feel like all the hard work and daily deposits of the last seven years is starting to pay off. It means so much to me that I am being awarded in this way. It is not simply a reflection of records or medals but, because it was voted on by my peers and fellow coaches of Louisiana, it is a reflection of the amazing relationships that I have built with my fellow swimmers and their coaches. I hope that they as spectators can see that I love every bit of it.”

Bulldog Aquatic Club Head Coach Paulette Butterfield praised Hoover for his efforts and his accomplishments.

“Over the two swim seasons in the competition year, JJ set five different state records, won 12-out-of-12 events at two different state championships and was the high point and swimmer of the meet at both state championships,” Bulldog Aquatic Club Head Coach Paulette Butterfield said. “JJ also finished first at the Southern Zones meet held in Texas in two events — he is the second Louisiana swimmer to ever win an event at the zones meet.

“The BAC team is proud of JJ and his accomplishments this past year. He has worked hard for many years to earn this recognition, and we are excited to see what is still ahead for him.”

Hoover closed with giving praise to his Lord and Savior and noted his excitement about competing in the future.

“I am looking forward to having a great time with my team and fellow swimmers all across the state competing over this season,” Hoover said. “I want to be able to compete to the best of my ability knowing this season that I owe it all to Jesus because everything great is impossible without Him and I am doing it all for His glory, not that of my own.”

The Southern Zone covers states all the way from Texas in the west to Florida, West Virginia and North Carolina in the east.

Hoover’s accomplishments include:

July State Age Group Championship (first place finish in all)