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Grand Forks Herald
Strong senior class leading Grand Forks swim team
- Story byGrand Forks Herald
- Strong senior class leading Grand Forks swim team
Sep. 4—GRAND FORKS — Gabby Tack first started swimming at UND lessons in Hyslop Sports Center.
One of the swimming coaches took notice.
He told Tack's father, Dave, that Gabby seemed to really enjoy being in the pool and suggested she stick with it.
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That coach was right.
Tack has progressed into one of the top prep swimmers in Greater Grand Forks.
"She works extremely hard," coach Bryan Walls said. "She cares about her teammates. She cares about her sport. She cares about her success. A lot of kids work hard in a lot of sports, but in swimming, you're staring at a black line by yourself."
Tack will be one of the leaders for this year's combined Grand Forks KnightRiders team, which features athletes from Red River, Central and East Grand Forks Senior High.
It's the second year of a combined team as numbers have dwindled.
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Grand Forks has 21 on the roster this season.
"I've been doing this since 1998," Walls said. "We've had years where we had 55. It's not an adjustment we're happy about. We'd like to have more athletes."
Walls said Grand Forks has struggled to get numbers since UND cut its swimming program in 2017.
"A lot of people thought Hyslop closed because the college cut its team," Walls said. "We've really been struggling since the college cut their team. We've really seen numbers go down."
Hyslop did close in early 2025. The KnightRiders will swim at Central until Altru Sports Complex opens in 2027.
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Three members of Grand Forks' senior class began swimming at Hyslop together nearly a decade ago — Tack, Sasha Poltavski and Rainy Bancroft.
Kaidence Grimaud joined that class as a sophomore after moving from Colorado.
"We are a super close-knit group," Tack said. "We grew up swimming together and have been best friends throughout. When Kaidence was added, it was such a positive addition to our team. She's an absolute light."
Tack's top events are the 100 fly and the 100 backstroke, an event she picked up last year.
Her goals this season include breaking a minute in the 100 fly, breaking 1:03 in the 100 backstroke and setting a school record in the medley relay.
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Grimaud swims the 100 backstroke and 200 individual medley.
Bancroft swims the 100 and 200 freestyle.
Poltavski's top events are the 50 and 100 freestyle.
"Rainy is a good leader," Walls said. "She works hard and is dedicated. She's been swimming for a long time. Kaidence is super smart, funny and talented. She brings a lot of fun to the team. Sasha is super smart and driven.
"Rainy, Gabby and Kaidence are hoping to swim at the next level. Usually, I have one or two. This year, we have three. That's pretty exciting."
Grimaud plans to swim collegiately at Nebraska Wesleyan next season. Bancroft and Tack are undecided.
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Tack said she'd prefer to stay in the area.
UND is no longer an option if she wants to swim at the varsity level. UND does have a club team.
"When UND (Hyslop) got torn down, it was really hard on our team," Tack said. "That's where a lot of us grew up swimming. It was hard not knowing if we'd have a pool."
Grand Forks' seniors are focused on this season right now, though.
Walls said he hopes for a top-six finish at state, and he also hopes they will keep their supportive atmosphere, which can help drive numbers up.
"I've made my closest friends through swimming," Tack said. "Even the older girls — when I was a seventh-grader and they were seniors — still text me and send me good luck messages. You build very strong relationships through swimming."
