By Kyle Roberts
SULPHUR, La. — An impressive 2024 campaign for Ruston High’s swim squads wrapped up Saturday at the LHSAA Division II state meet held at the SPAR Aquatic Center in Sulphur, La., with both teams finishing state runner up– a feat even more impressive given the small size of the rosters.
“We knew that our kids just had to beat as many bodies as they could because we’re a small team,” Ruston High and Bulldog Aquatic Club Head Coach Paulette Butterfield said. “We had seven girls and eight boys there. The teams we were chasing had 20-plus kids competing at the state meet for their school. So for our kids, it was about race and “get on the wall (to score).” That was our main focus: get there as quick as you can and beat anybody you can.”
Ruston’s girls finished with a 274 overall point total behind Saint Scholastica’s 365 for runner-up, while the boys finished with 225 points total behind Holy Cross’ 333.
Ruston totaled eight first places finishes through the meet. The girls took first in the 200-yard medley relay with the team of junior Kate Boersma, junior Karalin Hoover, senior Lydia Watts and senior Sadie Huenenfeld finishing with a final time of 1 minute, 52.27 seconds.
Senior Owen Frick then captured first at the Boys 200 Yard with a time of 1:41.70, while Huenefeld took first in the Girls 50-yard Freestyle at 23.71 while setting a new Division II record. Freshman J.J. Hoover took first in the Boys 100-yard Butterfly at 49.69, while Frick finished first in the 100-yard Freestyle at 46.91.
Huenefeld grabbed another first place finish in the Girls 100-yard Breaststroke at 1:06.70, while J.J. Hoover took first in the 100-yard Breaststroke with a time of 58.93, breaking his own Division II record.
The Boys 400-Yard Freestyle Relay team of Frick, J.J. Hoover, junior Taylor Roller and sophomore Samuel Jackson rounded out Ruston’s first place finishes at 3:18.60.
For their efforts, Huenefeld and J.J. Hoover were named the Division II State Swim Meet Outstanding Female and Male Swimmers, respectively.
“They’re both tremendous leaders,” Butterfield said. “They’re generous, they help others and cheer on their teammates. We’re going to miss Sadie, but hopefully she’s lit enough to get the other girls wanting to step up and continue after she graduates. And for J.J., everybody’s just wondering what he’ll do. He’s just getting started, and he’s got a lot of time ahead of him.”
