KRIS LAWSON
Sprint Specialist - UNC Wilmington '27
pre-med student & model
ABOUT
Kris Lawson is a sprint specialist, Division I swimmer, pre-med student, and model. He began swimming with the Bethesda Barracudas in Maryland’s Montgomery County Swim League and has spent 18 years in competitive swimming. Now a senior at UNC Wilmington, Kris has earned 2026 Toyota U.S. Open cuts in the 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly.
He’s training to compete at the U.S. Open this December and qualify for the NCAA Championships in the spring. A swimmer who thrives in relays and team competition, Kris brings that same energy to life outside the pool. He plays electric guitar and bass, skateboards, practices Muay Thai, reads and loves playing with his dog Gigi.
the journey to now
Built Over Time
Kris Lawson’s journey in the water began long before college. From becoming one of the nation’s top age-group swimmers to earning All-American honors, state championships and national recognition, nearly two decades of competitive swimming have shaped the athlete he is today.
But the story is bigger than times and titles. Each stage has required Kris to adapt, grow and continue raising the standard in the pool, in the classroom and beyond.
Early Promise
Kris emerged as an elite swimmer early. At age 12, Kris was ranked #1 in the US for his age in the 50 Back, #2 in the 50 Fly and #3 in 50 Free.
What began as potential was quickly becoming a pattern: compete, improve and keep moving forward.
From Prospect to Champion
At Walt Whitman High School, Kris developed from a nationally recognized age-group swimmer into a decorated high school and club athlete with a 4.4 weighted GPA.
He became an eight-time All-American and Academic All-American, pairing athletic performance with achievement in the classroom.
His high school and club career included state finals appearances as a freshman, individual state championships in the 50 Free and 100 Fly, an NCSA National Championship in the 50 Fly, and qualification for the U.S. Open.
Kris also contributed to championship teams at both Walt Whitman High School and Nations Capital Swim Club.
- Eight time All-American
- Academic All-American
- State Champion
- NCSA National Champion
- U.S. Open Qualifier
Kris’s collegiate journey has been anything but conventional.
He began at the U.S. Naval Academy, an experience that demanded discipline at an entirely different level. His path later took him to Howard University before continuing his academic and athletic career at UNC Wilmington.
Each environment presented a different challenge and another opportunity to grow as a student, an athlete and a person.
Today, Kris is a senior pre-med student at UNC Wilmington competing at the NCAA Division I level while continuing to pursue elite goals in swimming.
THE ROAD AHEAD
2026 Toyota U.S. Open
Kris has earned cuts in the 50 freestyle and 50 butterfly and is preparing to compete December 2–5 in Austin, Texas.
NCAA Championships
His spring goal is to qualify for the NCAA Championships and represent UNC Wilmington on the national stage.
All-America Status
Kris is working toward the level of performance required to earn All-America recognition.
Road to Los Angeles
LA 2028 is the long-range ambition guiding his work today: a goal that asks him to keep growing with every season.
Partner with kris
Kris is a Division I sprint swimmer, pre-med student, model, and swim instructor with a story that reaches beyond the pool. As he trains for the 2026 Toyota U.S. Open and pursues his NCAA goals, he’s open to sponsorships, brand collaborations, modeling work, appearances, and opportunities that connect with his interests and ambitions.
Have an opportunity in mind? Tell us what you’re building and how you’d like to work together.