Category: swimming

Boiling Springs swimming sweeps Big Spring in MPC-Colonial action

Boiling Springs swimming earned a sweep victory at Big Spring in Mid-Penn Conference Colonial Division action on Tuesday. The Bubblers’ girls won convincingly with a score of 113-65, while the boys posted an equally impressive victory, 114-71.

Below are the individual winners from the meet:

**Boys Results:**
– 50-yard freestyle: Blake Cubbedge (BIG), 24.08
– 100 freestyle: Weston Rudge (BOI), 50.48
– 200 freestyle: Nicolas Decker (BOI), 1:57.80
– 500 freestyle: Daniel Katora (BIG), 5:30.39
– 100 backstroke: Dalton Cubbedge (BIG), 58.08
– 100 breaststroke: Drew Graver-Barnouski (BIG), 1:04.12
– 100 butterfly: Darshan Chauhan (BOI), 1:02.15
– 200 individual medley: Cameron Ackley (BOI), 2:07.15

**Boys Relays:**
– 200 freestyle relay: Bennett Rudge, Yogith Ram, Darshan Chauhan, Nicolas Decker (BOI), 1:38.67
– 400 freestyle relay: Ethan Weigle, Thomas Casses, Nicolas Decker, Weston Rudge (BOI), 3:33.32
– 200 medley relay: Dalton Cubbedge, Drew Graver-Barnouski, Blake Cubbedge, Will Thompson (BIG), 1:44.28

**Boys Diving:**
– Preston Kuhn (BOI), 263.80 points

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**Girls Results:**
– 50 freestyle: Amaris Vioral (BIG), 26.14
– 100 freestyle: Maggie Kauffman (BIG), 1:03.46
– 200 freestyle: Sophia Bono (BIG), 2:12.33
– 500 freestyle: Abbi Christopher (BIG), 6:05.22
– 100 backstroke: Irie Graeser (BOI), 1:07.23
– 100 breaststroke: Sophia Bono (BIG), 1:09.03
– 100 butterfly: Piper Heyman (BOI), 1:05.27
– 200 individual medley: Irie Graeser (BOI), 1:26.72

**Girls Relays:**
– 200 freestyle relay: Ryle Pittman, Jillian Murphy, Kara Hostetter, Piper Heyman (BOI), 1:52.17
– 400 freestyle relay: Addelynn McCann, Kara Hostetter, Liv Garman, Irie Graeser (BOI), 4:13.56
– 200 medley relay: Piper Heyman, Liv Garman, Kara Hostetter, Irie Graeser (BOI), 2:00.62

**Girls Diving:**
– Carina Chen (BOI), 178 points

Boiling Springs showcased strong performances across the board, securing the sweep over Big Spring and continuing their success in the Mid-Penn Conference Colonial Division.
https://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/2026/01/boiling-springs-swimming-sweeps-big-spring-in-mpc-colonial-action.html

“I faced a lot of harassment” – Lia Thomas speaks out about challenges as trans swimmer while being honored with ‘Voice of Inspiration Award’

**Lia Thomas Reflects on Challenges as Transgender Swimmer After Receiving ‘Voice of Inspiration Award’**

Lia Thomas recently reflected on the challenges of being a transgender swimmer after receiving the prestigious *Voice of Inspiration Award* at the 2025 Violet Visionary Awards. Thomas made history as the first openly transgender swimmer to compete at the Division I Championships.

Initially, Thomas was a member of the University of Pennsylvania men’s swimming and diving team. During this time, Thomas became a finalist in the 500-yard, 1000-yard, and 1650-yard freestyle events at the 2018 Ivy League Championships. In 2019, Thomas began hormone replacement therapy, marking a significant transition.

In 2021, Thomas returned to competitive swimming, this time representing the Penn women’s team. Thomas’ rise to fame peaked during the 2022 NCAA Championships, where she tied with Riley Gaines. The event sparked controversy as Gaines publicly protested against Thomas’ participation.

### Reflections on the Journey and Challenges Faced

After receiving the award on Thursday, Thomas shared emotional reflections on the swimming journey, highlighting the hurdles and harassment faced by transgender individuals. During her speech, she also emphasized the lack of proper support available for transgender youth.

> “It makes me very emotional because I remember all too well not that long ago being 18 and just realizing that I’m trans and feeling so excited at the prospect of being able to be who I am, but feeling so terrified to take those steps because I didn’t know any other trans people. I barely knew what being trans meant,” Thomas said.

She further added,

> “If I had had an organization like that as a kid to give me the knowledge and language to describe my transness, how important that would have been. Because I faced a lot of harassment. I got a lot of messages of violence against me in my Instagram comments and DMs.”

Alongside winning a title at the 2022 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships, Thomas was also nominated for the *NCAA Woman of the Year* award.

### Riley Gaines Criticizes Lia Thomas Receiving the Award

Lia Thomas’ *Voice of Inspiration Award*, sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers, drew criticism from fellow swimmer Riley Gaines. Following the event, Gaines took a swipe at the MLB team, stating:

> “Last night Lia Thomas was awarded the ‘Voice of Inspiration’ award at a Dodgers-sponsored event. The only people he’s inspired are other opportunistic men who realized they can violate & steal from women and be celebrated for it.”

The tension between Thomas and Gaines intensified after their tied result at the NCAA Championships, where only Thomas, the transgender athlete, was awarded the trophy — a decision that did not sit well with Gaines.

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*About the Author*

**Janhavi Shinde** is a Sports Management graduate and a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda. She emphasizes meticulous research and fact-checking across multiple sources, including social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, as well as various sports publications.

Janhavi has competed nationally in the 10m Air Rifle Shooting event alongside renowned athletes such as Anjali Bhagwat, Apurvi Chandela, and Anjum Moudgil, fueling her passion for sports. Her favorite Olympian is Abhinav Bindra, and she especially cherishes the gold medal victories of Bindra and Neeraj Chopra for revolutionizing the mindset of Indian athletes toward sporting excellence.

If given the chance to introduce a new sport to the Olympics, Janhavi would choose American Football for its widespread appeal and intense competition. Outside of reporting on Olympic news, she enjoys reading, painting, and traveling.

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*Edited by Janhavi Shinde*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/olympics/news-i-faced-lot-harassment-lia-thomas-speaks-challenges-trans-swimmer-honored-voice-inspiration-award

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