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08/13/2020 12:00 AMPrior to his freshman year at Branford High School, Eric Sokolosky had a conversation with George Miles about his future in the sport of swimming. Miles was Eric’s coach in the Branford Stingrays’ program. Eric was participating in both baseball and swimming at the time, but Miles asked him to consider his future and see if he wanted to make swimming a full-time endeavor.
Eric took Miles’s words to heart and pondered what his course of action would be. Eric decided that he was going to take swimming more seriously, thus setting the stage for a career that featured numerous records and accolades.
“It was something that I had to make a commitment to at that time. George is such an influence and essential person in my life as a mentor and a coach. He had a frank conversation with me about what I wanted,” says Eric. “As a swimmer, you want to be fast, you want to succeed. He saw that ability in me, and he saw that drive. He said, ‘Let’s not fool around here. If you want to be great, let’s do this.’ That kind of kickstarted everything.”
Eric went on to have an outstanding career as a member of the Branford boys’ swimming and diving squad. In his four years with the Hornets, Eric was a three-time All-SCC and All-State swimmer, a member of two State Open champion relay teams, and also helped Branford earn a pair of second-place finishes at the Class M State Championship.
For his accomplishments in the pool, Eric was inducted into the Branford Sports Hall of Fame, joining former teammate and fellow captain Owen Rood as part of the Class of 2019. Eric also carried on a family tradition when he was inducted.
“It means quite a lot. It’s absolutely an honor. My father [Wayne Sokolosky] was inducted in 1998. He was a stellar basketball player,” Eric says. “I was an eight year-old and I went to his induction ceremony, and I remember just being so proud of him. I looked up to his accomplishments, and I wanted to succeed in whatever athletic adventure I chose. Joining my dad and great uncle Stan in the Hall of Fame meant a lot to me, continuing the family legacy in Branford. Being inducted with my co-captain Owen Rood was really meaningful to me.”
Eric broke school records in the 100 freestyle and the 200 freestyle during his tenure with the Hornets. He also swam on Branford’s 200 medley, 200 freestyle, and 400 freestyle relay teams that set school records. In his senior year, Eric was part of the Hornets’ 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays that finished in first place at the State Open, where Branford came in fifth place as a squad.
“It was such a special thing. The relays allowed Branford to earn more points. We got fifth overall, which is such an accomplishment given the level of talent. It was a testament to how fast our top-line guys were and how accomplished we could be,” says Eric, who helped Branford post a combined record of 46-10-1 in his tenure with the program. “I remember touching first in the medley relay. Owen anchored that race. I anchored the 400 freestyle. Owen led off. To touch first on the last event of the meet, it was a joyous occasion. I was extremely excited for my team and my teammates. It was a thrill and something I’ll remember forever.”
In that same senior season, Eric was named one of Branford’s captains alongside Rood and Dan Aupi. Eric says it was an honor to be voted a captain by his teammates and that he learned life lessons both in and out of the water as a result of the experience.
After graduating from Branford in 2008, Eric attended Bucknell University, a Division I school in Pennsylvania, where he competed for the men’s swimming team for four seasons. In his sophomore year, Eric took first place in the 50 freestyle at the Patriot League Championship and then finished first in the 100 freestyle at the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship.
Eric earned another first-place finish in the 100 freestyle at the ECAC Championship as a senior. He also swam on Bucknell’s victorious 400 freestyle relay team at conference meet. By the time he graduated in 2012, Eric had swam a leg on all five of the Bisons’ record-breaking relay teams.
“The records have since been broken. The last one came last year, so they almost made it 10 years,” Eric says. “Being a part of those relay teams, you can’t accomplish that alone. It requires teamwork and camaraderie. You can’t just swim fast. I always felt like I rose to those occasions, and I wanted to do right for Bucknell. To be on those relays with some of the fastest swimmers in Bucknell history is an honor and privilege on my end.”
Eric’s senior year at Bucknell saw him win the Dearstyne Dorr Award for his leadership, as well as the Lee S. “Bud” Ranck Memorial Award for his enthusiasm and contributions to athletics. The Dearstyne Dorr Award was voted on by the swim team, and Eric calls it one of the greatest achievements of his career. Eric still has the plaque hanging in his apartment in New York City.
Even though he doesn’t live in Branford anymore, Eric will always consider the town his home. Eric’s parents still live in Branford, and he visits them frequently. Now a member of the Hall of Fame, Eric feels beyond proud about what he and his teammates accomplished with the Hornets.
“I love Branford as a town. It’s an incredible place to have grown up and competed in the pool,” Eric says. “I have great pride in the legacy I left with Branford swimming. Every time I go back and see my name still on the record board alongside Owen Rood, Dan Aupi, and all my other teammates, there’s a sense of pride. I hope they’re up there for years to come. I am very proud to be a Branford swimmer and have a successful career.”