Hoover Blue Thunder shines at regional championship

Hoover Blue Thunder Swim Team (HBT) wrapped up their short course season with favorable results at the Southeastern Championship Meet in Nashville. Twenty one HBT swimmers made 126 short course Southeastern Championship qualifying times this season. Coach Rick Moulton and assistant coach Michael Bottchen were very proud of all of their swimmers.

Sam Steele became the first male swimmer from HBT to garner two Junior National Summer qualifying times and swam to second place finishes in both the 200 and 500 Freestyle. Sam also qualified for two Junior National Winter qualifying times in the 1000 Freestyle and the 200 Fly. 

Luke Huffstutler broke team records in the 100 and 200 Breaststroke, 400 IM and the 50 Freestyle. Jakob Icimsoy ranked top three in the 500, 1000,1650 Freestyle and 400 IM. 

Erin Finn won the “B” final of the senior girl 100 Fly and obtained four best times at this meet. Caitlin Bullard scored in the 1000 and 1650 Freestyle. E.J. Moses scored in the 1000 and 1650 Freestyle. Molly Steele scored in the 500, 1000, and 1650 Freestyle. Ross Tolbert scored in the 50 and 100 Backstroke.

The boys’ relay team scored an eighth place finish. Kathryn Chambers came home with improved times in the 50 and 100 Breaststroke events. Drake Amick had a remarkable improvement in six of his events.  Micah Fineburg and Arlan Fan both improved in their 200 Breaststroke. Erica Han and Samantha Davis swam to three best times. Maddie Ellis and Brooks Sauders, the youngest HBT swimmers, had fun at their first Southeastern Championship Meet.