Lia Thomas’ Former Teammates Sue UPenn, Harvard, NCAA to Expunge Her Records
Three Former Teammates Sue to Erase Lia Thomas’s Swimming Records
(Image: Lia Thomas with UPenn teammates at the 2022 Ivy League Championships)
Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers—Grace Estabrook, Ellen Holmquist, and Margot Kaczorowski—filed a lawsuit Tuesday against UPenn, Harvard, the NCAA, and the Ivy League, seeking to erase transgender athlete Lia Thomas’s women’s swimming records. The plaintiffs allege that competing against Thomas, a biological male who joined the women’s team in 2021-22, violated Title IX and caused emotional trauma.
The lawsuit, backed by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, accuses institutions of prioritizing “pro-trans ideology” over fairness. It demands Thomas’s records be scrubbed from NCAA and Ivy League history and declares her ineligible for women’s competitions. Notably, Thomas is not named as a defendant.
“Traumatized” by Locker Room Policies
(Image: UPenn swimmers in locker room; caption: Plaintiffs claim Thomas’s presence violated their privacy)
The athletes describe feeling “captive” to a “social experiment.” They allege UPenn initially promised Thomas wouldn’t use their locker room but reversed course, warning swimmers against dissent. Kaczorowski reportedly cried upon learning Thomas would share their facilities. Coach Mike Schnur allegedly told the team he’d be fired if he barred Thomas.
Thomas, who previously competed as Will Thomas on UPenn’s men’s team, dominated the 2022 Ivy League Championships, winning three freestyle events and breaking records. The lawsuit claims female swimmers were threatened with removal if they protested before the meet.
Trump’s Executive Order Adds Fuel
(Image: Trump signing order surrounded by female athletes)
The lawsuit came one day before former President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring transgender athletes from women’s sports. The order leverages Title IX, framing biological males in female competitions as discriminatory. Trump vowed to oppose transgender participation in the 2028 Olympics, calling it “lunacy.”
Athletes Testify to “Nightmare” Experiences
(Image: Kylee Alons and Kaitlynn Wheeler at Georgia hearing)
Last week, former competitors Kylee Alons (NC State) and Kaitlynn Wheeler (Kentucky) testified before Georgia lawmakers about the “abuse” of facing Thomas. Alons described changing in a closet to avoid locker room encounters: “There was no escape from this nightmare.” Wheeler recalled being “forced to undress next to a biological male.” Both joined a separate lawsuit against the NCAA led by activist Riley Gaines.
Legislative Momentum Builds
Georgia’s Senate recently advanced a bill banning transgender athletes from women’s sports, aiming to join 25 states with similar laws. Critics argue such measures protect fairness; proponents call them discriminatory.
The UPenn lawsuit underscores a national debate over transgender inclusion in sports. Plaintiffs argue women’s opportunities are being sidelined for political agendas. Thomas’s case—her NCAA title and record-breaking success—remains a flashpoint. As Estabrook stated, “Women’s sports shouldn’t prioritize men’s feelings over fairness.”
(Image: Lia Thomas holding NCAA trophy; caption: Thomas’s 2022 win sparked nationwide controversy)
The Road Ahead
The lawsuit seeks class-action status for 206 athletes at the 2022 Ivy Championships. If successful, it could set a precedent for erasing transgender athletes’ achievements retroactively. Meanwhile, the NCAA maintains policies allowing transgender participation with hormone therapy—a standard critics say disadvantages biological women.
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[Note: Images are suggested based on original article’s photo captions.]
