Lawrence Brothers Lead The Dalles Swim Team to Strong Summer Showing

Jul 17

Written By Columbia Community Connection

Harlan Lawrence, (left) and Holten Lawrence (right) show off their medals and ribbons after strong performances at the Pendleton Invitational.

The Dalles, Ore., July 17, 2025 — The Dalles Swim Team has been making a splash this summer, enjoying sunny weather and heating up the competition in the pool.

All four groups — Fishies, bronze, silver and gold — have been working hard to improve their skills and put them to the test at recent meets. At the Pendleton Invitational, held July 5–6, The Dalles Swim Team placed seventh out of 22 teams.

The standout swimmer at the meet was 6-year-old Harlan Lawrence, who earned high point honors for boys 8 and under. Competing against swimmers up to two years older, he placed first in the 200-meter freestyle and both the 50- and 100-meter breaststroke. He also placed second in the 50 freestyle, third in the 100 freestyle, and fourth in the 100 backstroke. His time in the 50 breaststroke qualified him for the Oregon 10 & Under State Championships, where he competed alongside his older brother this past weekend.

Older brother Holten Lawrence, 9, who medaled in five of seven individual events at Pendleton, was the team’s top performer at the Oregon State 10 & Under Championships in Albany, July 12–13. Holten placed second in the 50 backstroke, fourth in both the 100 backstroke and 200 freestyle, fifth in the 50 freestyle, and seventh in the 50 butterfly — improving his time in that event by more than 10 seconds from his previous best.

The Dalles Swim Team’s season continues with three more competitions: a dual meet with Hood River on Monday, July 21; the 11 & Over State Championships, with Sebastian Powell and Solana Doty qualifying; and the season-ending Seahorse Invitational in Newport, Aug. 8–10.

This summer’s team included 75 swimmers, divided into four skill groups: Fishies (beginners), bronze (advanced beginners/pre-competition), silver and gold (competitive training groups).