Walano, French Named Athletes of the Week

Congratulations to this week's Cranford Patch Athletes of the Week, Eric Walano and Kathleen French, who have helped lead the Cougars varsity swim team to an outstanding 14-0 record.

Walano is a three-sport star who also counts soccer and baseball to his vast resume. The junior has been nothing short of dominating in the 50 meter freestyle this season, motoring to victory after victory in his events.

"I've only lost the 50 free once this season, that seems to be my event," said Walano, who also swims 100 meter butterfly. "The thing that really carries us through is our relays. We've been doing a great job. I'm not sure if our medley relay has lost yet, and our 200 free has been spectacular also."

Despite his success in the pool, Eric gives credit to his teammates first.

"Everybody's been doing a great job," said Walano. "We've come a long way. We've had some people stepping up, some younger swimmers, it's been fantastic. We have a lot of freshmen who really seem to be looking up to the older group. Everyone seems to be having a great time."

He can thank his mom and dad, Heather and Carl, along with his older siblings for at least part of his success.

"It all started when I was a little kid," said Walano. "I have three older brothers, all three of them started swimming. My mom just put me in the pool early, said do what you can, and it has taken off ever since."

The junior was also a captain of the boys' varsity soccer team, leading the Cougars to their first-ever Union County championship and the best record in school history. He would like nothing more than to bring the first swim championship to Cranford High School.

"Our goal is to win the conference this year," said Walano. "Our swim team has never won any championship of any kind. We have two tough teams left, Johnson and Union Catholic. They've both given us some trouble in the past."

"Eric has brought a tremendous amount of enthusiasm, and a tremendous amount of skill," said Cranford swim coach Barbara Kolesa. "His enthusiasm keeps the team motivated. When he gets in that water, he gives nothing less than 110 percent. He is why we're here, because of his strength and motivation."

On the girls' side, Kathleen French has provided outstanding performances all winter in the 100 yard breaststroke, the 200 individual medley, the 200 yard medley relay and the 400 yard freestyle relay.

The senior has been in the pool almost since she could walk.

"I used to live down the shore, so I was put in the water since I was 1 1/2 years old," said French. "I've been swimming for so long, so the 200 individual medley, I just naturally grew into it, because it has all the strokes in it. It should be my strongest because I'm great at all four strokes."

She focuses on the team first, and she couldn't be more excited about how her teammates have not only improved, but handled the pressure as the team's winning streak builds to double-digits.

"It's a little bit of a mix because we did lose a few seniors and we have a lot of new freshmen," she said. "Other teams also lost seniors, so we thought we had a chance. We did so well to start off, and it's just grown from there."

Her coach has nothing but praise for her work ethic and her ability to rise to the occasion under any circumstance.

"Kathleen is always willing to do whatever is necessary to get the team through the meet and get the win for us," said Kolesa. "She puts her heart and soul in the water. There's times even when she's not feeling well, but she swims because she doesn't want to let the team down."

"I dropped my times dramatically in both of my main events," said French. "It's been a great season. I couldn't be happier with the way things are going."