Special to the LPJ
Swimmers from Ruston’s Bulldog Aquatic Club closed out their summer with strong results across both the Louisiana Senior and Age Group Long Course State Championships, held at the LSU Natatorium. Competing with the state’s best, Bulldogs from all age groups advanced to finals, earned podium finishes, and represented Ruston on both the state and national stage.
At the Senior Championships, J.J. Hoover led the way with silver medals in the 100 and 200-meter butterfly and a bronze in the 50-meter butterfly. Teammate Sadie Huenefeld added three bronze finishes of her own in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle and the 200-meter individual medley. Alongside Hoover and Huenefeld, McKenzie Jones, Camdyn Napper, and Breanna Senn reached championship finals and placed in the top eight of their events. Additional top-16 swims came from Owen Frick, Jack Groce, Samuel Jackson, Jones, Napper, and Senn. Other Bulldogs who qualified and participated in the meet included Abby Huenefeld, Taylor Roller, Paul St. Cyr, and Matthew Roach. For graduating seniors Huenefeld, Jones, Groce, and Frick, the meet marked the end of their Bulldog careers as they prepare for the next chapter in college.
The Senior Championships also launched two Bulldogs onto the national stage. Hoover and Huenefeld advanced to the 2025 TYR Futures Championships held in Justin, Texas, one of the country’s most competitive meets for rising talent. Hoover qualified in eight and competed in six events, highlighted by a silver medal in the 200-meter butterfly and top-16 finishes in the 50- and 100-meter butterfly and the 200-meter individual medley. Huenefeld raced five events, placing in the top 16 in the 50- and 200-meter freestyle and the 50-meter breaststroke.
At the Age Group State Championships, younger Bulldogs carried the momentum forward. Destin Bell led the team with five state titles, winning the 50- and 200-meter freestyle, 50- and 100-meter backstroke, and the 200-meter individual medley. Her outstanding performances also earned her the honor of 10 & Under High Point Runner-Up. Additional top-eight finishes came from Ethan Hemed, Hayden Ryan, Joseph Amiano, and Emily Xu, while Joshua Johnson, Katherine Huenefeld, Naomi Huenefeld, Jackson Smith, Hemed, Ryan, and Xu secured top-16 results. Bulldog relays added to the tally with three All-State finishes, further underscoring the club’s depth.
“What a great way to end the season, from our senior athletes closing out their Bulldog careers with medals to age group swimmers breaking through at State,” Head Coach Paulette Butterfield said. “This summer season highlighted the strength and capability of the many individual athletes and the Bulldog Aquatic Club.”
The Age Group meet also produced national-level recognition. Amiano and Xu were selected to represent Team Louisiana at the 2025 Southern Zone Age Group Championships in Orlando, Florida. The meet is one of the premier regional age group competitions in the country and draws many of the nation’s top developing athletes. Their selection reflected both their success at State and the club’s ability to prepare swimmers for higher levels of competition.
