Lia Thomas, a swimmer for the University of Pennsylvania, tied for fifth in the 200 yard freestyle at the NCAA finals.
Taylor Ruck out-touched Cal senior Isabel Ivey at the wall in 1 minute, 41.12 seconds to set a McAuley Aquatic Center record. It was the second time a pool record was set in the 200 freestyle. The NCAA record of 1:39.10 was set in 2015.
In a post-race interview, Ruck said that he was glad to have his teammates behind him. I am so grateful to have them here.
Thomas became the first trans athlete to win a Division I national championship when she won the 500 freestyle on Thursday.
The top three seeds in the 200 free final were separated by 0.35 seconds in their heats. At the first turn, Thomas was seventh and Ruck was first. Thomas was behind as the other two fought for the lead. She finished in 1:43.40, more than a second slower than her prelim time, but Thomas pushed ahead in the final 100 yards.
After shaking hands with Thomas, Ruck reached over the lane line and embraced her.
The fastest time in the event was 1:41.35 by Ivey, which was also the pool record. The NCAA counts the leadoff legs of relays as official times, so she set the mark in the 800 freestyle relay. Thomas held the fastest time since December with the 1:41.93 she swam at the Zippy Invite.
Thomas won the 500 free despite protests outside of the McAuley Aquatic Center, and the crowd inside was quiet. Ice has begun to thaw throughout the championship meet, despite the fact that few members of the swimming community have gone on the record with their opinions about Thomas and the inclusion of trans women in women's sports.
Sophia Ruck, Taylor's mother, said before the 200 freestyle that she put herself in the shoes of Lia's parents. If Lia needs to live her best life, that is up to her.
Lia Thomas and every swimmer should be shown the respect they are due, according to the mother of a UCLA swimmer. There are clear differences. Being treated that way is not the same as competing. There are two different people. I think that is important. It makes me sad. Everything that women have fought for is getting eroded.
Thomas is going to swim the 100 free on Saturday. She is the 10th seed.
John Barr was a contributor to this report.
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