Cranford Swimmers on Verge of History

After a successful Saturday in the Union County tournament, the Cranford varsity swim team now has their sights set on creating history as they look to capture the Union County Coed Conference Championship Tuesday against Johnson High School.

The Cougars have already clinched a tie for the title, remaining unbeaten at 16-0 in duel conference meets, but Johnson still has a chance to tie for the title with a victory Tuesday afternoon at the Cranford Community Pool.

For Cranford, earning the championship outright and finishing their season with an unbeaten record would be the icing on the cake.

"This championship means a lot to our team," said assistant coach Colleen Donnelly. "We have never won a championship in Cranford history. This is the first year the county has divided us into a boys' team, girls' team and coed team and to be the top coed team in the county is just amazing."

"If we win Tuesday's meet that would make us undefeated, which has never happened at Cranford High School before," said junior Rob Lento. "We'll finally be able to get our names up on the board in the gym which would be very big for the team."

"It's big for me," said senior Tom Marra, who swims the 100 breaststroke. "This year, we're winning everything, it's astonishing. These guys and girls really do an awesome job. We work hard in practice and it's showing."

In the past, Cranford had to go up against powerhouses such as Westfield and Scotch Plains in the Union County Division. But with the Mountain Valley Conference being dissolved, and a new coed division added, the Cougars can face opponents with similar size teams.

"To not have to swim against Westfield, and to swim with teams at a more competitive level in a coed division where we have 35-40 kids on the team, gave us an opportunity," said Donnelly. "When we found out this was happening, Coach (Barbara) Kolesa and I said to the kids, this is our bracket, this is our competition and if we can knock out Union Catholic and Johnson, we've got it.  We've done it, and we're going to do it on Tuesday."

Johnson has just one loss, and that came at the hands of Cranford earlier in the season, a close meet where the Cougars won by just 17 points.

"Last meet was really big when we beat them," said Marra. "I remember looking at the scoreboard, so happy when we got the 86 points, but they're definitely going to look for revenge and try and see what they can do to beat us. We're still working hard. Everyone is really happy with how we've done."

Victory will again rely on a strong performance by Robert Lento, Connor Harkins and Eric Walano in the 50 freestyle. When these athletes take to the water, they usually finish 1-2-3 and make a difference in the outcome. The 100 freestyle is also an important event for the Cougars, with Harkins, Lento and freshman Nick Kalafatis taking center stage.

Capturing 1-2-3 gives a team 13 points, where the opponent gets only three, meaning that much of Cranford's success rides on these events.

"At about half of our meets, we come in first, second or third in the 50 freestyle, 100 free and 100 breastroke," said Lento. "That gives us a big advantage over the other teams having the fast sprinters and that also shows up in the 200 free relay."

"They push each other," said Donnelly. "If someone on the team has a personal best, everyone's excited for them. The relays are always encouraging each other. They just really love what they do. There's no drama. They're great kids."

The Cougars vie for the title at 4 p.m. on Tuesday.

"I don't mean to be counting my eggs too soon, but these kids have got it and they're excited to get that banner," said Donnelly.