By Michael Letendre

MERIDEN – The Bristol swimming co-op enjoyed a good day in the pool on Wednesday from Platt High School, but the locals were foiled by the Meriden contingent in the end.

Bristol fell by a 97-87 final in Meriden, earning several first place finishes along the way.

“It was a really good meet, the boys swam events they were uncomfortable with and still pulled out some fast races,” said Bristol co-op coach Adrienne Bentley. “We had 16 season best times. The score went back and forth and [was] tied a few times.”  

In the end, Meriden took five individual wins and snared two of the three relay challenges.

Over those two relay losses for Bristol, a miscommunication in lane assignments caused disqualifications that aided the Meriden co-op on the scoreboard.

“The error in lane assignments, which cost us the meet, was my fault,” said Bentley. “[But] in my eyes, they achieved their meet goal. I asked them to swim hard and fast and they did.”  

Overall, Bristol had several first place tallies, including three by Gabriel Bartolome.

He won the 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle and was a participant on the winning 400 freestyle relay team.

Drew Fries took the 50 freestyle event “coming out of retirement to pull off a fast and solid win,” according to Bentley.

Mikel Palaj was also a three event victor (100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, and 400 freestyle relay) while Noah Taylor and Davis Kroll made up half of Bristol’s winning 400 freestyle relay team.

But up and down the line-up, Bentley was pleased with what she saw. 

“[We had] outstanding swims by Davis Kroll in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke and Aidan Collins in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke,” said Bentley. “Tyler Wilson [had his] best time in diving and 100 breaststroke [and] Jacob Wilson [had his] best time in 100 freestyle.”

Bristol is back in action next Saturday from the Cornerstone Aquatics Center in Avon at 2:30 p.m. in a CCC Region D encounter with the Falcons. 

Bristol Boys Swimming & Diving

PLATT/MALONEY 97, BRISTOL CENTRAL/BRISTOL EASTERN/ST. PAUL CATHOLIC 87

from the Platt high school swimming pool, Meriden

First place finishers

Gabriel Bartolome – 200 freestyle, 100 freestyle and 400 freestyle relay

Drew Fries – 50 freestyle

Mikel Palaj – 100 butterfly, 100 breaststroke, 400 freestyle relay

Noah Taylor – 400 freestyle relay

Davis Kroll – 400 freestyle relay

Records: Bristol Co-op 0-2 overall