TACOMA, Wash. — Over the coming weeks, GoLutes.com will highlight the eight individuals from the 2024 Pacific Lutheran University Athletics Hall of Fame Class that will be inducted on April 6 as part of the 33rd induction class. Today's installment features swimming All-American Bethany Graham.
A native of Missoula, Montana, Graham knew she wanted to stay in the Northwest and continue to compete when looking at colleges.
"I wanted to stay in the Northwest, not too far from my home state of Montana, and find a small college with a warm, welcoming community. The swim program was also a big consideration because I wasn't ready to give up the competition and friendships from my high school swimming experience. PLU was the dominant force in the conference at the time and it was exciting to have an amazing team to step into," said Graham.
Once at PLU, Graham made sure the Lutes continued to be a powerhouse in the water. As a first-year Graham helped the Lutes win the NWC team title while earning a league title in the 100-yard backstroke in a meet record time and participating in five winning relays. That season culminated at the NAIA Championships, earning All-American honors in the 100-yard backstroke in addition to four relay events. That effort helped the Lutes finish fourth as a team at the NAIA national meet.
The following season Graham missed the NWC Championships due to illness but came back for the NAIA Championships. Racing in seven events, Graham finished fifth in the 100-yard backstroke and was fifth as a member of the 200-yard medley relay, securing All-American honors in both events.
Graham spent the 1993-1994 academic year away from the water, taking advantage of the time to study away in England.
Upon returning to the Lutes, Graham showed no signs of rust. As a senior, she won the NWC Championship in the 50-yard freestyle while earning All-American status in seven events at the NAIA Championships in San Antonio, Texas, powering PLU to a seventh place team finish.
Graham closed her career as an NAIA All-America Scholar-Athlete, was named PLU swimming's Most Inspirational, and was the 1995 PLU Athlete of the Year. On top of it all, Graham earned a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to study away in Germany.
"I am proud of my academic accomplishments at PLU, which prepared me for my Fulbright Scholarship year in Germany after graduation. The foundation of hard work also set me up for success in law school, which I started two years after graduating from PLU. On the athletic side, I was honored to receive the 1995 Athlete of the Year award."
For all the success, Graham cherishes the bonds that were forged with teammates and friends on campus that remain just as strong today as when they were first formed.
"I created friendships with some of the smartest, most fun, and talented people I could possibly have met. Many of them are still close friends today and it's been really great to see where we have all taken our PLU education."
Working hard. Prioritizing relationships. And having a sense of humor are all things Graham learned while in the pool and are lasting legacies of her time at PLU.
"It's very, very, simple. Put your head down, work as hard as you can, don't take yourself too seriously, and give everything you can to the friends and family around you."
Graham graduated with a degree in English and currently serves as the Vice President for Human Resources at Les Schwab Tire Centers. She has been married to Christopher Laws for 23 years and has two kids— Hazel and Elliott.
