High School Triangular First Outdoor Swim Meet in North Dakota History

Island Park hosted a club meet over the summer, but this contest was the first one for high school teams.

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – Local high schools utilized Island Park Pool in what organizers believe was the first outdoor swim meet in the history of North Dakota.

It was a triangular meet between Fargo North, Fargo South, and Grand Forks on the evening of August 29.

The competition was set to begin at 5 P.M., but a rain delay pushed the start back to about 6:45.

The new facility, which opened in June, hosted a club meet this summer, but this was the first high school meet at the pool.

Coaches said they had begun discussing the possibility of an outdoor competition about a year ago, and it was exciting to see it finally take place.

“I think we’ve all been looking forward to it for the last, like, nine months,” laughed Talia Butery, head swim coach at Fargo North. “It’s fun to see it come to fruition and see everyone in the water. It’s a good feeling.”

The coaches say that they plan to make the triangular an annual outdoor event going forward.