By Tzvi Machlin As the debate over Lia Thomas’ accomplishments as a transgender athlete continues, one academic is coming to her defense as trailblazer that should be remembered positively. In an opinion piece for NBC News, professor Cheryl Cooky of Purdue University argued that Thomas’ success should be celebrated, not scorned. Cooky drew comparisons to other trailblazing athletes such as Jackie Robinson, Jason Collins and Sarah Fuller. Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, Collins was the first openly-gay NBA player and Fuller was the first woman to score in a Power Five football game. Co…