Lia Thomas finishes 8th in 100-yard freestyle, final race of collegiate swimming career

ATLANTA — Penn swimmer Lia Thomas' collegiate swimming career ended with an eighth place finish in the 100-yard freestyle. Thomas posted a time of 48.18 seconds, 0.81 seconds slower than her qualifying time of 47.37 seconds.

Virginia freshman Gretchen Walsh finished first in 46.05 seconds to win her first individual NCAA championship.

Yale junior Iszac Henig finished with a career best 47.32 seconds to tie for fifth place. Henig is a transgender man, and is eligible to compete in the women's category because he hasn't begun hormone therapy.

Walsh started the race slow, but gained steam over the final 50 to pass University of Alabama senior Morgan Scott. Thomas was in eighth after the first 50, and Henig was in fifth, which is where they both ultimately finished. Thomas was the only finalist to go slower than her qualifying time.

Before the race, as has become customary at this meet, Thomas' name was met with scattered cheers, a couple of boos, and noticeable quiet.

Thomas and Henig came into the 100 free final as the fourth and eighth seeds, respectively. They both finished their qualifying heats in second place. The last time they squared off was in February at the Ivy League championships. Thomas got the better of Henig there, taking home the conference title. In Atlanta, Henig avenged that loss.

On the podium after the awards ceremony, Thomas and Henig posed for a photo together and embraced in celebration. Both swimmers wrote «Let trans kids play» on their arms for the race.

The 100 free capped a months-long controversy surrounding Thomas. Ever since she won the 200, 500 and 1,650 freestyle in Akron, Ohio, at the Zippy Invitational in December, her name has stayed in the news.

First it was gawking at the times she