Kearsarge Regional High School sophomore high jumper Maelle Jacques, a biological male who competes as a girl, has won the New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association Division 2 state championship.
Jacques bypassed the girls’ record by jumping at 5’1,” one inch higher than any girl in history.
Women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines criticized the school district and the parents of other athletes for allowing Jacques to compete as a girl and beat previous records.
“How could the parents of this boy allow their son to cheat deserving women out of opportunities? And why don’t the parents of the girls stand up and say ‘no’ for their daughters?” Gaines wrote on X. “This country is full of failing, gutless mothers and fathers.”
District superintendent Winfried Feneberg defended the decision to allow Jacques to compete with girls, saying each athlete has the “right” to compete in whatever they choose.
“Each student-athlete has the right to compete in the activity of their choice,” she said. “The New Hampshire Interscholastic Athletic Association’s stance on this issue is clear: Denying that opportunity is a violation of equal rights afforded under state and federal law.
“Further, we believe that limiting access to any activity violates our core mission and vision, which are grounded in supporting every student and student-athlete’s right to pursue their goals and interests,” Feinberg added.
