Swimmers of the year Kluttz, Hornikel go out with a splash

Samantha Kluttz's high school swimming career concluded Oct. 10 with state championships in the 200- and 500-yard freestyles, but her work is hardly done.

She swims year-round for the Southern Marlins Racing Team and she has dreams of swimming at the college level. So she gets up at 4:30 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays to practice. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, she gets to sleep in an extra hour before she makes her first splash in the pool.

"Swimming isn't a sport," Kluttz said with a laugh. "Swimming is more of a lifestyle. You have to adjust your life for it. It's sort of like having a job."

The hard work has paid off for Kluttz. She repeats as The Post and Courier's high school female swimmer of the year.

Stratford's Bjoern Hornikel also repeats as the male swimmer of the year.

Kluttz was a two-time defending champion in the 200 freestyle, but she was seeded fifth this year's meet. She saved her best for the final, claiming gold. She also won the 500 free to finish her high school career with four state meet gold medals.

"I finished second in the 500 last year, so I had something to motivate me," Kluttz said. "It was a great way to end my (high school) career with two gold medals. It's kind of sad that my high school career is over, but I'm somewhat relieved because of my schedule. It's the one thing I'm glad is off my plate. But I'll miss it."

Kluttz will take some time off this weekend for a recruiting trip to East Carolina. She's also looking at Clemson, North Texas and UNC-Wilmington.

Hornikel, a native of Germany, comes from a swimming family. His older brother, Armin, was a past state champion and former Post and Courier swimmer of the year. Bjoern finally got the gold medal this year to match his brother. He also got a state record as he swept the freestyle sprints.

He won the 50 free, but didn't set a state record. His time of 21.13 was the third-fastest time in the event's 12-year history.

He captured the state record in the 100 free with a clocking of 45.96 seconds. That mark erased the standard of 46.47 set by Samad Turner of T.L. Hanna in 2000.

Hornikel will also swim at the college level. He is considering Georgia, Florida State, Arizona State and Alabama.

Joining Kluttz on the girls' team are Brianne Jones of Summerville, Hanna Humphreys of Bishop England, Laura Brotherton of Wando and Danielle Morrin of Wando.

Jones joined Kluttz as a double-winner at the state meet, winning the 50- and 100 freestyles.

Joining Hornikel on the boys' team are Haldeman Shelbourne of Summerville, Stewart Gress of Wando, Jon Lierley of Wando and Zach Lierley of Wando.

The Lierley brothers were double-winners at the state meet to lead the Warriors to their second Class AAAA state championship in three years. Jon won gold medals in the 500 free and the 100 butterfly while Zach won the 100 breaststroke and 200 individual medley.

Reach Philip M. Bowman at pbowman@postandcourier.com or at 937-5592.