Recent statistics show that college transgender runner Sadie Schreiner achieved significant victories in women’s Division III track & field events. However, these wins would have placed Schreiner at the bottom of the men’s divisions. Competing for the Rochester Institute of Technology, Schreiner claimed first place in the 400 meters with a time of 55.07 seconds and the 200 meters at 24.14 seconds. Despite setting a record in the women’s 200-meter race, Schreiner’s times would have landed him in last place if he had been competing in the men’s categories.
Born as Camden Schreiner and competing as a boy at Hillsborough High School in New Jersey, Schreiner’s past record in the 100-meter race for boys would have been enough to lead in the girls’ category. Despite these achievements, Schreiner denies having an “automatic advantage” due to his biological background. He emphasizes the importance of including trans athletes in the conversation surrounding athletics and advocates for understanding their experiences.
While Schreiner’s perspective is valid, studies suggest that transgender therapies may not fully eliminate the physical advantages of a male body over a female body in sports. Research has indicated that transgender women maintain certain biological advantages even after transitioning and suppressing testosterone levels. Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines criticized the NCAA for Schreiner’s success as a female track & field athlete, pointing out the disparities in performance between male and female competitors.
