The arena never mattered to Daniel Klotz, who said, “I was very competitive to be on top, whatever pond I was put into.” 

Most times, his times were the best. 

“He’s the greatest swimmer in school history,” Berlin High School boys swimming and diving coach Dan Thurston said. 

Appreciate some of Klotz’ commendable achievements:

• The only four-time All-American and State Open champion (100 butterfly and 200 freestyle in 2012-13) in BHS history and Class M champion those years.
• Current school recorder holder in 200 free (1:40.31),100 free (47.05), 50 free (21.66) and 100 butterfly (49.34).
• Six-time All-State in the 50 and 100 free (2011), 200 free and 100 butterfly (‘12) and 200 free and 100 butterfly (‘13).
• Class M 2012-13 Championships Swimmer of the meet and 2013 State Open Swimming and Diving Outstanding Performer.
• Resident in all-time record book at Brown University, where he swam 2014-17, in 50 free (third), 100 butterfly (sixth) and 100 free (seventh). 

Thurston, who was co-coach during Klotz’ junior and senior years with his mother Eileen who was head coach in Klotz’ first two years, said: “Dan had elite-front end speed, and his underwater kick was the tops.” 

Klotz, a 2013 BHS graduate, strove to exceed in the mechanical aspects of each of his events. “Start, take off on strong break out of the water, flip,” he said. “I was very technical to hit them well. I felt practice [sometimes four-to-six hours daily with extra time in the pool] was worth it. I particularly enjoyed the [state] races at the end of the season.”

Thurston, the Redcoats’ head coach since 2014, admired Klotz’ determination to improve.  “If his teammates were doing a 200 free, Dan was doing a 200, waiting 10 seconds, then firing off a 50 under 26 seconds,” Thurston said. “He always found a new gear in a tight race or as a relay anchor, chasing down teams in front of him. His presence gave his teammates confidence and his opponents nerves.”

Klotz, a senior consultant of assets and organizational strategy in biology technology in Santa Monica, California, is proud of his BHS legacy. “But I also believe I wouldn’t be upset if someone else at some time takes the mantle,” he said. 

Such is the proper respect for being the fastest in the pond.