Sixteen athletes have taken legal action against the NCAA, alleging that the organization’s transgender participation policy violated Title IX in 2022. This controversy stems from Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer from the University of Pennsylvania, participating in the NCAA swimming championships.
The lawsuit accuses the NCAA of perpetuating discrimination against women by allowing Thomas to compete and access women’s locker rooms during the event. This move, according to the plaintiffs, violates Title IX, a federal law aimed at promoting gender equity in sports.
In response, the NCAA defended its stance, emphasizing its commitment to promoting women’s sports and ensuring fair competition in all championships. However, the lawsuit challenges the legitimacy of Thomas’ participation and demands the revision of any titles or awards she received.
Just a week ago, Sadie Schreiner, a sophomore at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), competed in the 200 meters at the NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships in Virginia Beach, Va.
She finished her preliminary heat for the 200-meter race at 24.71, which was a tie with eighth place.
Now she is a ninth-place finisher at the NCAA Championships.
At the Liberty League Championships, Schreiner clinched a conference title in the 200 meters and secured a second-place finish in the 400 meters, contributing to RIT’s impressive third-place finish in the team standings.
Despite her achievements, Schreiner has faced scrutiny from certain quarters due to her status as one of the few openly transgender student-athletes competing in the NCAA. However, she remains fully eligible under NCAA regulations, which mandate the submission of medical testing data to confirm hormone levels.
If Schreiner advances to Saturday’s final, she could become the NCAA’s third openly transgender All-American, following the footsteps of CeCé Telfer and Lia Thomas. A victory in the event final on Saturday night would further cement her place in history, making her an NCAA champion alongside Telfer and Thomas.