By Michael Letendre

NEW HAVEN – At the CIAC Boys State Open event from Yale in New Haven over March 17-18, the Bristol Coop’s lone representative – freshman Aidan Palaj – did a tremendous job in the pool to close out the winter scholastic season.

Palaj made excellent splashes in both the boys 200 and 500 yard freestyle events.

In the 500, Palaj placed among the top-six over a very competitive event.

He was the fastest freshman in the pool that day, finishing the heat in 4:44.09 – good for sixth place.

Palaj was about 13 seconds off the winning time of 4:31.13, established by Ridgefield’s Jack Clancy.

Halfway through the race, Palaj was just off the lead time by six seconds.

And in the 200, Palaj finished 18th overall in a time of 1:46.40 over a busy weekend of swimming action.

Greenwich was the easy winner of the Open event, snaring the title with 636 points.

Ridgefield (393 points) was the runner-up, New Canaan (263) took third place, Fairfield Prep (235.5) nabbed fourth and the squad from Norwalk-McMahon (231.5) wrapped up fifth.

Palaj, a first-year scholastic swimmer, had a big season in the pool for the contingent from Bristol Central, Bristol Eastern and St. Paul Catholic.

At the recent CCC South showdown from the pool at Plainville High School, Palaj put together quite a meet for himself and the Bristol Coop.

He won the 200 and 500 freestyles while earning runner-up honors in the 200 medley relay.

Palaj helped the squad establish a new CCC South record in the 500 freestyle as he finished the event in a time of 4:41.78.

The old Bristol record was held by Mike Palaj, Aiden’s brother.

Mike’s standard of 4:45.27 was broken by nearly four seconds by the younger Palaj. 

CIAC Boys State Open Championships (March 17-18)

from Yale, New Haven

Final Scores – Top 10

Place/Team                            Scores

1. Greenwich                           636  

2. Ridgefield                           393 

3. New Canaan                        263 

4. Fairfield Prep                      235.5

5. Norwalk-McMahon            231.5

6. Pomperaug                          224.5

7. Glastonbury                        217  

8. Southington                         208  

9. Newtown                             201

10. Staples                               200

Other Scores  

37. Bristol Coop                      30

Individual Finishes

Boys 500 Yard Freestyle – Top 6
1. Jack Clancy, Ridgefield, 4:31.13

2. Felix Flakstad, Greenwich, 4:36.49

3. Jude Boukarroum, Brookfield, 4:36.53

4. Campbell McFall, Glastonbury, 4:39.44

5. Maxwell Enes, Xavier, 4:42.73

6. Aidan Palaj, Bristol Coop, 4:44.09. 

Boys 200 Yard Freestyle

18. Aidan Palaj, Bristol Coop, 1:46.40