By Michael Letendre

WEST HARTFORD – The Bristol boys swimming and diving co-op, combining all three of the high schools in town once again, was able to start its 2022 campaign in style – sinking Hall of West Hartford by a 94-86 final from the Cornerstone Aquatics Center Pool.

The Bristol contingent won seven events, taking both the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relay events over the eight-point victory.

200 medley relay, the foursome of Nathan Stellmach, Davis Kroll, Mikel Palaj, and Aidan Collins won the race in 1:43.20.

And then in the 400 free relay, Bristol’s collection of Stellmach, Kroll, Palaj and Collins were the winners in 3:30.54.

The 200 freestyle event saw Bristol’s Noah Taylor finish in 2:00.70, good for first place, while Stellmach earned the nod in the 50 free with a time of 22.78 seconds.

But Stellmach wasn’t finished as he won the 100 free in 50.08 seconds while Palaj got to the pay window in the 100 butterfly (52.07 seconds).

And Collins was the victor in the 100 breaststroke, capturing the event in 1:11.28.

Bristol is back in action next Tuesday as the squad makes its hometown debut.

On January 11, Bristol battles Avon in CCC action from the pool at the Dennis Malone Aquatic Center.

Meet time is 3:45 p.m. and is the only home event schedule for the month of January in Bristol.

Senior transfer already paying off in the pool for Bristol

Stellmach transferred into St. Paul Catholic for his senior year this past fall and is a tremendous athlete in the water.

He won the 50-yard freestyle (22.32 seconds) and 100 breaststroke (58.45 seconds) at the 2021 boys Naugatuck Valley League championships last season and now will be helping the Bristol grouping going forward.

He’s a standout in multiple events including the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, 200 breaststroke and 200 IM.

BRISTOL CO-OP 94, HALL 86
from the Cornerstone Aquatics Center-Pool, West Hartford

Individual Results

200 medley relay: Bristol (Nathan Stellmach, Davis Kroll, Mikel Palaj, Aidan Collins) 1:43.20

200 free: Noah Taylor (B) 2:00.70

50 free: Nathan Stellmach (B) 22.78

100 butterfly: Mikel Palaj (B) 52.07

100 free: Nathan Stellmach (B) 50.08

100 breaststroke: Aidan Collins (B) 1:11.28

400 free relay: Bristol (Nathan Stellmach, Davis Kroll, Mikel Palaj, Aidan Collins) 3:30.54.

Records: Bristol 1-0 overall