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J.J. Hoover, a junior at Ruston High School in Ruston, Louisiana, has announced his verbal commitment to the admission process* at Princeton University for 2028-29. He confirmed to SwimSwam:
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to announce my verbal commitment to the admissions process at Princeton University where I will continue my academic and athletic career! I first want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for the gift that swimming has been to my life. “I believe God made me for a purpose-but He also made me fast. And when I ‘swim,’ I feel His pleasure.” (Chariots of Fire) I also want to thank my mom, dad, brothers and sisters for consistently showing up for me, loving me and encouraging me to just keep swimming. I will always look for you in the stands. I would not be where I am without Bulldog Aquatic Club and my entire Louisiana Swimming family. Thank you for coaching me and encouraging me whether I wear your cap or not. Louisiana is an incredible place to grow up as a swimmer and I am thankful for all of the swimmers, coaches and families who have encouraged me on this journey both in and out of the water. A special thank you to Dan Flack for guiding me through the recruiting process with wisdom and making it fun. Finally, I want to thank Coach Matt, Coach Mia, Coach Zach, and the rest of the Princeton staff for this unbelievable opportunity and for believing in my future as a swimmer. Go Tigers!🐅”
Hoover swims for his high school and the Bulldog Aquatic Club and specializes in butterfly, breaststroke, and IM. He was one of our “Best of the Rest” recruits from our Way Too Early list of top boys’ swimming recruits in the high school class of 2028.
Hoover is smack in the middle of high school season right now, but last year, the sophomore helped Ruston win the team title at the 2025 LHSAA Division 2 State Championships by winning the 100 fly and 100 breast, swimming breast (26.50) on the 3rd-place medley relay, and anchoring the winning 400 free relay (47.17). He picked up PBs in the 100 fly (49.32) and 100 breast (57.82) in the process.
A month later, at Winter Juniors West, Hoover clocked new PBs in the 100 breast (57.12), 100 fly (49.22), and 200 IM (1:51.47). He had a stellar meet at the Louisiana Senior Short Course State Championships, winning the 50 breast and 50/100/200 fly and placing 2nd in the 100/200 breast. He left the meet with new lifetime bests in the 100 free (46.79), 50 breast (25.87), 100 breast (56.11), 200 breast (2:01.33), 50 fly (22.30), 100 fly (48.84), and 200 fly (1:47.62). Hoover closed out the season at Justin Sectionals with PBs in the 50 free (21.52) and 100 fly (49.79).
In long course season, Hoover lowered his times in just about everything he swam at the Louisiana Senior Long Course State Championships, hitting lifetime bests in the 100 free (56.16), 200 free (2:02.08), 50 breast (29.69), 100 breast (1:06.50), 200 breast (2:26.25), 50 fly (25.58), 100 fly (55.47), and 200 fly (2:03.30). He won the 100/200 fly and was either 2nd or 3rd in the 50/100/200 breast and 50 fly. He closed out the summer at Junior Nationals with a 19th-place finish in the 200 fly and a PB of 2:02.27.
Hoover will join the Tigers’ class of 2032 with “Best of the Rest” sprinter Michael Wang and the #5 diver Connor Carson.
Best SCY times:
- 100 fly – 48.79
- 200 fly – 1:47.62
- 200 breast – 2:01.33
- 100 breast – 56.11
- 200 IM – 1:51.47
*Note: A verbal commitment between an Ivy League coach and a prospective student-athlete is not an offer of admission, as only the Admission Office has that authority. The coach can only commit his or her support in the admission process. Ivy League Admission Offices do not issue “Likely Letters” before October 1 of the prospective student-athlete’s senior year of high school. The Likely Letter, while issued after an initial read of the student’s application, is not an offer of admission to the university.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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