Controversy Surrounds Transgender Athlete in High School Girls’ Cross Country

This past Saturday at the Nike Hole in the Wall High School XC Invitational in Arlington, Washington, a perplexing incident occurred. A Camas High School coach dismissed my attempt to introduce myself near the Women’s Elite 5k race start line. The team’s hesitancy stemmed from a controversial decision regarding a Camas athlete. A biological male runner had recently switched from the boys’ team to the girls’ midseason.

Initially part of the boys’ team, this athlete finished 76th in a junior varsity meet. Later, after joining the girls’ team, the runner secured first place in a varsity meet and placed second in another event, drawing considerable attention.

A debate over transgender athletes heats up.

The Wolf of Lake Stevens, WA, Kent Lake, commented, “We’re a liberal area, but I disagree with boys competing against girls. Competitions must be fair, like stock car racing.” Reasons behind the athlete’s transition remain unclear as Camas coaches and the athlete’s mother refused to speak to me.

Under Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) rules, such a switch is allowed, but many parents disagree. One mother asserted, “Allowing transgender runners to compete against girls robs female athletes of their opportunities.” At a Vancouver rally, several female athletes and emcee Brandi Kruse highlighted the issue of fairness in girls’ sports.

I lost a state championship to a boy. I refuse to lose my voice.

The Camas runner finished 39th out of 135 with a time of 18:36.8 in the girls’ race. Comparatively, this time would have placed last had he competed in the Men’s Elite 5K. An anonymous parent remarked, “Whether first or 40th, they’re taking a girl’s spot.” The sensitivity of the topic led many to remain anonymous, avoiding recorded discussions.

Opinions were mixed at the meet. One parent believed high school sports should be more about confidence building than winning. Others, like Kevin Ess from Arlington High, thought men and women should compete separately given historical precedence. Amid similar sentiments, one father revealed his XX-XY shirt, emphasizing fairness and Title IX’s intent to protect female athletes.

The mother of the Camas athlete refused engagement, even after reportedly recording athletes protesting against the participation mid-September. Skyview High juniors Charlie Garrett and Sierra Retzlaff protested by walking off the start line, bearing “Keep women in women’s sports” body paint. This act inspired Initiative 638, aiming to ban biological males from girls’ K-12 sports, now on Washington state’s Nov. 3 ballot.

One mother voiced that laws need revision to untangle schools from current obligations and encouraged citizens to vote for change.

Matt Calkins reflects the intersection of sports and culture at Outkick. He has contributed as a sports columnist for over a decade, having insightful interactions with athletes like Marshawn Lynch. Reach out to him on X at matt_calkins.