Lia Thomas, the openly transgender NCAA championship swimmer has been nominated by the University of Pennsylvania for one of the most prestigious awards in college athletics ... NCAA Women of the Year.
UPenn nominated 22-year-old Thomas ... for the honor designed to recognize "female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics and in academics throughout their college careers."
Thomas, of course, was dominant this season for the Ivy League school -- even winning the 500-yard freestyle event at the NCAA championship meet (she defeated Olympic silver medalist Emma Weyant by nearly 2 seconds) .