reporter: instead of kudos for winning connecticut state championships, she and another runner, terry millergot criticized for being transgender. long before she began running, andrea knew she was different. >> halloween, i remember dressing up as cinderella when none of the other boys would. i remember playing with my barbie doll. >> how old were you? >> like -- 5, 6, 7. like, pretty young. >> reporter: middle school, she began transitioning. but andrea's stunning victories didn't sit well against the competition. >> i first raced against the transgender athletes at the state open meet, and i realized how much ahead they were of the other girls. it was disappointing to see how we weren't getting the spots that we rightfully deserved after we trained so many days and so many hours a day. >> reporter: alana smith is a top runner at danbury high school. competition is in her blood. her father, a former pro baseball hall of famer. her mother, a former elite runner herself. what does running track mean to you? >> it means everything to me. it gives me a spot to be myself. when i go to practice,