GRAND FORKS, N.D. - University of North Dakota head women's swimming and diving coach Steve Parsons announced today that local product Ali Church has signed a National Letter of Intent to join the Fighting Sioux for the 2012-13 season.

"Ali has been at the top of our 2012 recruiting list for a long time," Parsons said. "She had a great state meet last fall and then backed up her performance with a terrific showing at the YMCA Nationals this spring. I predict that she will be a force in the freestyle events this coming season. 

"Ali has many characteristics that you can't teach an athlete. She is a born racer, she loves to compete, she trains extremely hard, and she is strong physically. We are very excited to see what she can do at the college level."

A senior at Grand Forks Central High School, Church was named the 2011 North Dakota Senior Athlete of the Year after winning both the 200 free and the 500 free state titles for the third straight year. In addition to her six state titles, she is also a three-year YMCA Nationals finalist - 2010: 500 free; 2011: 200 free, 500 free; 2012: 200 free, 500 free, 1,000 free, 1,650 free.

Church joins Courtney Funk (Minot, N.D.), Caitin Quon (Richmond, British Columbia), Lotte de Wit (Saint Ouen, Jersey, Channel Islands), Jenny Einhorn (Shoreview, Minn.), Cassie Walth (Bismarck, N.D.), and Teresa DiGregorio (Burnsville, Minn.) on the list of 2012-13 additions.

- Go Sioux -