U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon described Tuesday as a ‘great victory for women and girls’ after the University of Pennsylvania banned transgender student-athletes from women’s sports and stripped ex-Quakers swimmer Lia Thomas’s records at the urging of President Donald Trump.
Penn athletic director Alanna Wren struck a decidedly different tone in an email to former swimmers, tabling the move as mere compliance: ‘While Penn’s policies during the 2021-2022 swim season were in accordance with NCAA rules at the time, we acknowledge that some student-athletes were disadvantaged by these rules. We recognize this concern and apologize to those who experienced a competitive disadvantage or experienced anxiety because of the changing policies.’
That internal email, provided to Daily Mail, did not mention Trump’s decision to freeze $175 million in federal funding to the school, or whether that played a role in Penn’s decision. Instead, Wren focused on updated nationwide transgender policies, Trump’s February executive order on the issue and the school’s acknowledgement ‘that some student-athletes were disadvantaged’ by previous rules.
Thomas’s former teammate Margot Kaczorowski found Wren’s email to be ‘insincere.’
Kaczorowski has been on the front lines of the issue since her freshman year in 2019, when she learned that Thomas was coming out as transgender and moving to the women’s team. The two would win relay races together, including the 400-yard freestyle relay at the 2022 Ivy League championships, but Kaczorowski has since joined two ex-teammates in a Title IX lawsuit over Thomas’s presence on the team and in the locker room.
‘They’re basically saying “We’re sorry to anyone who might have had any competitive disadvantage or anxiety because of the changing rules of the situation,” like [they’re] not accepting fault,’ she told Daily Mail. ‘You’re saying: “Sorry, kind of, but because of changes to the rules.” No, it’s because of your guys’ inability to protect women.’
In speaking with Daily Mail, Kaczorowski applauded the federal government’s role in pressuring Penn to adopt new transgender policies. But the putative class-action lawsuit plaintiff hasn’t forgiven the school for forcing her to change her clothes and shower with Thomas – something she describes as ‘textbook sexual harassment.’
Margot Kaczorowski joined two former teammates in suing Penn earlier this year
Lia Thomas poses with Penn teammates Hannah Kannan, Camryn Carter, and Margot Kaczorowski after winning the 400 yard free relay at the 2022 Ivy League championships
Thomas alongside Kentucky’s Riley Gaines after both tied for fifth at the NCAA championships
‘I stayed far [away from Thomas in the locker room],’ Kaczorowski said. ‘I tried to be on the opposite side of the locker room, but all my teammates were around and I can’t speak for anyone else’s experience, but you know… Thomas would be like topless in the showers with us, and there’s no shower stalls or anything, we’re all just in there.
‘And it’s uncomfortable to be in the locker room with a 6-foot-4 male against our will.’
It’s an experience that Kentucky’s Riley Gaines also described after the 2022 NCAA championships, where she tied with Thomas for fifth in one event.
‘[Thomas] was full naked and, of course, full intact inches away from where we, 18-, 19-, 20-year-old girls, were fully undressed,’ she told Fox News in March.
Even away from the locker rooms, Kaczorowski explained, Thomas’ presence on the team resulted in an ‘overall atmosphere of awkwardness.’ And while Kaczorowski refuses to speak for everyone, she says she was not alone in that feeling.
Kaczorowski does see Penn’s retreat as a victory but remains determined to hold the school accountable for the indignity she says she suffered in the locker room.
‘The truth of what went on is we were originally told that Thomas would not be in the locker rooms with us,’ Kaczorowski said. ‘When the news originally came out to us, it was just private on the team at the time. It wasn’t like public headlines. But when we were told, we were told that Thomas would be using a single changing stall, and we were not made aware of anything different until we walked into the locker room one day and Thomas was in there.’
Penn athletic director Alanna Wren stuck a procedural tone in an email to former swimmers, tabling the school’s decision to bow to Trump’s demands as mere compliance
Kaczorowski complained, as did others, but according to her lawsuit, school officials responded by saying ‘Lia swimming is a non-negotiable.’
One senior department official allegedly warned swimmers that anyone who voiced complaints risked being seen as transphobic – something that could hurt future employment opportunities.
‘And they said: “You are free to speak on this issue if you would like to, but we just want to let you know, if you do, you will never get a job,’ Kaczorowski said.
Daily Mail has reached out to a Thomas spokesperson for comment.
Likewise, Daily Mail has sought comment from Penn about Wren’s email to swimmers and Kaczorowski’s claims.
Penn previously released a statement on its decision to ban transgender athletes and strip Thomas of her records.
Thomas may not be the only swimmer losing records at Penn.
The 400-free relay championship Thomas won with Kaczorowski, Hannah Kannan and Camryn Carter, as well Thomas’ 2022 NCAA 200-free championship, could ultimately be stripped as Trump’s Education Department moves to eradicate transgender athletes from female sports.
Kaczorowski, unsurprisingly, doesn’t mind. Not only does she have other swimming accolades from her time at Penn, but she sees those accomplishments as secondary to her current battle.
Along with co-plaintiffs Grace Estabrook and Ellen Holmquist, and with legal support from the Independent Council on Women’s sports (ICONS), Kaczorowski now awaits a July 21 hearing in a Massachusetts federal court, where Penn hopes to see the lawsuit dismissed.
As her attorney William Bock III told Daily Mail, she and her co-plaintiffs are seeking damages, not just for the former teammates, but a ‘larger group of women’ impacted by Thomas.
And to Kaczorowski, the price of a 2022 Ivy League championship would be a small price to pay for this win.
‘It’s hard for me to even be proud of that record or any win a record associated with that time when I don’t feel like it was truly earned,’ she said. ‘That doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things when women’s rights are at stake.’
