Penn's Thomas becomes first transgender woman to win NCAAs

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University of Pennsylvania transgender athlete Lia Thomas competes in the 500-yard freestyle finals at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas competes in the 500-yard freestyle finals at the NCAA college swimming and diving championships, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Thomas, who won the event, is the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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A protester holds a sign outside the arena where Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas was competing in the 500-yard freestyle final at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas reacts after winning the women’s 500-yard freestyle final at the NCAA swimming and diving championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Thomas became the first known transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas prepares to swim the women’s 500-yard freestyle final at the NCAA swimming and diving championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Thomas, who won, is the first known transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship.. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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University of Pennsylvania transgender athlete Lia Thomas swims in a preliminary heat for the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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University of Pennsylvania transgender athlete Lia Thomas waits for a preliminary heat of the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas waits for a preliminary heat in the Women’s NCAA 500-yard freestyle swimming championship start Thursday, March 17, 2022, in at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas smiles after winning a preliminary heat in the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, in at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas competes in a preliminary heat in the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, in at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas waits for a preliminary heat in the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas gestures as she holds the trophy after winning the 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA swimming and diving championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Thomas is the first known transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Pennsylvania’s Lia Thomas does a television interview after winning the women’s 500-yard freestyle at the NCAA swimming and diving championships Thursday, March 17, 2022, at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. Thomas is the first known transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

By Charles Odum

ATLANTA (AP) — Lia Thomas took control in the final 100 yards of the 500-yard freestyle to make history Thursday as the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming championship.

Thomas, the University of Pennsylvania senior who entered the NCAA women’s swimming and diving championships as the top seed, had a season-best time of 4 minutes, 33.24 seconds.

“I didn’t have a whole lot of expectation for this meet,” Thomas said. “I was just happy to be here and race and compete the best I could.”

Virginia’s Emma Weyant was second at 4:34.99.

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The race was close until the final 100 yards, with Weyant and Erica Sullivan of Texas pushing Thomas for the lead. The three swam in lanes three through five, adding to the drama, with Thomas in the middle.

As was the case in Thursday morning in a preliminary win, Thomas was stronger at the end. She won the preliminary race at 4:33.82.

Sullivan was third at 4:35.92. Stanford’s Brooke Forde was fourth at 4:36.18.

Thomas also is the top seed in the 200 freestyle Friday and is the 10th seed in the 100 freestyle Saturday.

Thomas has followed NCAA and Ivy League rules since she began her transition in 2019 by starting hormone replacement therapy. She also swam for Penn while transitioning.

The inclusion of the swimmer created controversy, even within the sport. There were fewer than 10 protesters outside the Georgia Tech facility, and some carried banners which read “Save Women’s Sports” in the stands.

“I try to ignore it as much as I can,” Thomas said. “I try to focus on my swimming .. and just try to block out everything else.”

Thomas spoke with ESPN immediately after the race but would not participate in the official news conference, as required by the NCAA. Since participation is required, possible action could come following evaluation by the NCAA’s swimming and diving championships committee.

Tennessee’s Julia Mrozinski won the consolation final with a time of 4:37.35. Northwestern’s Lola Mull was second.

Charles Odum

I cover Atlanta pro sports and college sports in Georgia.

Penn’s Thomas becomes first transgender woman to win NCAAs