The Bristol Co-op boys swimming and diving team began the season in strong fashion with a 94-86 road win over Hall-West Hartford on Jan. 4 at the Cornerstone Aquatic Center.
Bristol, made up of Bristol Central, Bristol Eastern and St. Paul, won seven of 12 events, but the team victory didn’t come easily. Bristol trailed Hall, 68-66, following the 200-yard freestyle relay, but began its turnaround during the ensuing 100 backstroke. Second, third and fourth place finishes by Mikel Palaj, Ryleigh Dionne and Luke Losacano gave Bristol nine points to Hall’s seven, which led to the meet being tied, 75-75.
Aidan Collins finished first in the next event, the 100 breaststroke (1:11.28). Fourth and fifth place finishes from teammates Krzystof Popielarz and Aidan Colaianni gave Bristol another 9-7 advantage, and an 84-82 lead in the overall meet.
Bristol went first, third and fifth in the meet-ending 400 freestyle relay for a 10-4 advantage and the team victory. The winning team of Nathan Stellmach, Davis Kroll, Palaj and Collins finished the race in 3:30.54. The third place team was made up of Thomas Masotti, Miles Jennings, Dionne and Noah Taylor. The fifth place team was comprised of Cristian Cortina, Luke Losacano, Konrad Truszkowski and Colianni.
Other wins for Bristol came in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 50 freestyle. The winning medley team of Kroll, Stellmach, Palaj and Collins finished the race in 1:43.20. Taylor won the 200 freestyle in 2:00.70 while Stellmach claimed the top spot in the 50 freestyle (22.78) and 100 freestyle (50.08).
Depth was key for Bristol in the victory. Besides the seven event victories, Bristol grabbed seven second place finishes, three third place finishes, five fourth place finishes, and five fifth place finishes. All of those points count in a close meet, and they added up to a win for Bristol.
