Penn nominates transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for NCAA Woman of the Year
Thomas, one of 577 nominees and one of more than 240 Division I athletes, was the first transgender woman to win an NCAA Division I Championship title.
Thomas, one of 577 nominees and one of more than 240 Division I athletes, was the first transgender woman to win an NCAA Division I Championship title.
The University of Virginia posted a remarkable number of records at the championships, where the nation’s top swimmers competed in the most anticipated events of their seasons.
After she touched the wall — achieving her third straight podium placement in three days — she headed to the podium with fellow trans athlete and Yale University junior Iszac Henig.
In Atlanta over the weekend, freshman Matthew Fallon finished third in the 200 breaststroke, which secured him first team All-American honors, something no Quaker had done since 2019.
The University of Virginia posted a remarkable number of records at the championships, where the nation’s top swimmers competed in the most anticipated events of their seasons.
After she touched the wall — achieving her third straight podium placement in three days — she headed to the podium with fellow trans athlete and Yale University junior Iszac Henig.
Bailar was the first openly trans swimmer to compete in NCAA Division I swimming and was the first trans man to compete in any men’s sport in the NCAA.
Taylor Ruck, a four-time Olympic medalist, out-touched Thomas by two seconds to win the 200-yard freestyle, while Thomas tied for fifth with Riley Gaines of the University of Kentucky.
Thomas touched the wall in 4:33.24, marking her best time of the season and setting Penn's program record, which she broke earlier this season.
Penn women's swimming has three Quakers — including College senior Lia Thomas — competing at the NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving Championships at Georgia Tech.
Thomas will swim the 200-yard freestyle and 500-yard freestyle events — both of which she is seeded to win — as well as the 100-yard freestyle, and she will be joined by Penn juniors Catherine Buroker and Anna Kalandadze.
Keep up to date with the Quakers as winter sports charge towards final gasps for glory at NCAA Championships and spring sports show hints of what the coming season has in store.
In the piece, Thomas talks about her historic season, experiences and difficulties transitioning, and goals after she graduates this spring.
Penn women's swimming is spending four days in Cambridge to compete in the Women's Ivy League Swimming & Diving Championships.
Just as the women's team did last week, the men's squad finished third at the Ivy League Championships, while the women's team finished third at the ECAC Championships.
Penn scored 1,256 points — the most in program history by nearly 200 points — set four new program records, and notched its highest finish ever at the Ivy League Championships.
More than 300 current and former swimmers signed a letter in support of Penn women's swimmer Lia Thomas and all transgender and nonbinary athletes.
The student-athletes wrote in their letter that Thomas was taking “competitive opportunities” away from them, particularly spots in the Ivy League championship meet.
Amid ongoing updates to guidelines on transgender athletes, Penn's women's swimming and diving team stated its full support of teammate Lia Thomas.
The women won a close match while the men dominated to secure victories in the final meet before the Ivy League Championships.