Ali Church was a standout swimmer at Grand Forks Central High School from 2006-2012. She earned a varsity letter every year she competed at GFC.
During Ali’s six-year swimming career, she was the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle State Champion in 2009, 2010 and 2011. She was the runner up in 2008. Ali made the All-Conference team in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. She earned a spot on the All-State team in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011. Ali was named EDC Senior Athlete of the Year in 2011 and the Powerade Senior Athlete of the Year in 2011. Ali was an All-American athlete in 2009 and 2011. She received the Grand Forks Herald’s Senior Athlete of the Year in 2012 as well.
After graduating from GFC, Ali went on to swim at UND from 2012-2016, where she set the record for the 1650-yard freestyle her senior year.
When asked what sets GFC apart, Ali said “Our long-standing dominance in the 500 freestyle and how badly we wanted to continue the tradition every year. We took so much pride in keeping the 500 title in Grand Forks.” Ali’s significant memory from GFC is when she took an amazing trip to Argentina with people from her Spanish class.
Ali currently resides in Fargo, ND, where she is a registered nurse with Sanford’s Maternal Fetal Medicine Center.