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Harvard athlete among 1st openly transgender NCAA swimmers

Published  June 30, 2015 2:05pm PDT
Associated Press

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) — A Harvard athlete is among the first openly transgender swimmers in the NCAA.

Schuyler Bailar, an incoming freshman, was initially recruited for the women's swimming team but came out as transgender this year. After he told the women's coach, Harvard surprised Bailar with an offer to join either the men's or women's team.

On the women's team, the 19-year-old from McLean, Virginia, would have had a shot at breaking records, but he joined the men's team to embrace his identity.

The coach of the men's team says his athletes welcome Bailar's enthusiasm and work ethic.

Jay Pulitano, a Division III athlete at Sarah Lawrence College, competed on the women's team before joining the men's team in the 2014-15 school year.