NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
The University of Pennsylvania has nominated swimmer Lia Thomas for NCAA Woman of the Year honors.
According to an NCAA announcement, the University of Pennsylvania has nominated the transgender athlete for the award that recognizes female students.
“Established in 1991, the award recognizes student-athletes who have fulfilled their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, athletics and science throughout their collegiate careers,” reads the NCAA’s nominations page.
NCAA member schools “are encouraged to celebrate their best graduates by nominating them for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award,” the announcement said.
LIA THOMAS COMPETITION ADVERTISES FINA RESTRICTING TRANSGENDER ATHLETES: ‘STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION’
University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas and Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines react after winning 5th place in the 200 Freestyle Finals at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 18, 2022 at McAuley Aquatic Center in Atlanta, Georgia. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
After member schools have made their nominations, their conference may select up to two nominees.
Thomas, a former University of Pennsylvania swimmer, won the 500-yard freestyle event at the 2022 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on Thursday.
Her participation in collegiate women’s swimming has sparked national debate, with some saying she has an unfair advantage over other athletes.
FINA APPROVES GENDER INCLUSION POLICY FOR TRANSGENDER SWIMMERS
Lia Thomas of Pennsylvania waits for a heat in the NCAA women’s 500 meter freestyle swimming championship that begins Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Riley Gaines, a University of Kentucky swimmer who finished fifth in the NCAA swimming championships with Lia Thomas, said the majority of women disagree with the development of women’s sports.
“The majority of us athletes, or women in general, don’t agree with that, and they don’t agree with the development and how this is going and how it might end up in a couple of years,” Gaines said on the Unmuted with Marsha podcast with Sen .Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
She was referring to the NCAA’s refusal to change the rules to protect competitiveness in women’s sports.
The University of Pennsylvania also nominated Iuliia Bryzgalova for the award, who plays tennis at the school.
Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter @asabes10.