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Trans Ramapo College Swimmer's New Record For Women's Team Causes Controversy

A transgender Ramapo College swimmer is making waves after breaking a school record her first year on the women's team.

Meghan Cortez-Fields.

Meghan Cortez-Fields.

Photo Credit: Meghan Cortez LinkedIn

Meghan Cortez-Fields set a program record in winning the 100-yard butterfly [57.22] at the Cougar Splash, which was hosted by Misericordia University in Dallas on Saturday. She also took second in the 200-IM [2:12.05].

Yet, not all are celebrating.

Cortez-Fields’ victory drew criticism from some women’s rights activists, who took exception to her swimming with the women’s team as a senior after competing for the Ramapo men’s team as a freshman, sophomore and junior.

The Ramapo Swim Team allegedly made a congratulatory post for Cortez-Fields on Instagram, but removed it after former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines posted about it on X.

Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer, made headlines after speaking out about Lia Thomas' 2022 NCAA Championship win. She is a self-proclaimed advocate for women's sports.

“Ramapo College swimmer in NJ goes from less than mediocre male swimmer to a record smasher competing against the women,” Gaines said on Sunday, Nov. 19. “Hm, where has we seen this before? #SaveWomensSports."

Ramapo released the following statement to Daily Voice:

"Ramapo College supports all of our student athletes. The original post of Meghan’s achievement was deleted by a peer who wanted to protect their teammate from insulting comments on the post. The College continues to post team and individual student-athlete achievements for all programs on our Athletics website. As an affiliate of the NCAA, Ramapo College Athletics follows all NCAA policies, including the NCAA Transgender Student-Athlete Participation Policy. "

In an interview with Ramapo's student newspaper, The Ramapo News, Cortez-Fields said UPenn swimmer and NCAA Championship winner Lia Thomas has been an inspiration to her. 

The student newspaper said Cortez-Fields was "in the middle of their transition" when the article ran in October 2022.

Click here for results from the Saturday, Nov. 18 competition.

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