Washington Family Seeks Supreme Court Intervention in Wrestling Dispute

A family in Washington is seeking the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention after lower courts refused to permit a teenage wrestler to compete without being matched against male athletes. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) has filed an emergency application with Justice Elena Kagan on behalf of K.M.K., known publicly as Kallie Keeler, and her mother, Stephanie Lynne Brown. The legal action requests an injunction pending appeal in the case of K.M.K. v. Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA).

Kallie Keeler, a wrestler from the Puyallup area, has been active in the sport since age four. She has not participated in a WIAA event since January and expressed hesitancy about returning if paired against male athletes without prior notice.

“No girl should have to choose between playing the sports she loves and her safety,” the application states. It seeks to prevent officials from mandating that Keeler wrestle a male athlete during the pending appeal, or at least ensure sufficient notice and an option to withdraw without penalties.

The dispute arose from a match on December 6, 2025, during the Lady Jag Kickoff at Emerald Ridge High School. Keeler and her mother claim they were not informed that her opponent was male. During the match, they allege an incident occurred leading to sexual assault accusations. They were informed by another team’s coach that the opponent was male.

After requesting assurances her daughter would not face male competitors without being penalized, and demanding notification to opt out, they were denied. The district offered forfeiture if the opponent was known to be male beforehand. Gender-identity details, they said, remain confidential.

The legal challenge involves the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Superintendent Chris Reykdal, and the Puyallup School District. The opponent and their family are not named in the lawsuit.

A federal judge in Tacoma turned down a preliminary injunction on August 23, with the Ninth Circuit declining an emergency injunction on September 25, stating no sufficient likelihood of success warranted pre-season relief. With wrestling season starting in mid-November, ADF argues that absent court intervention, Keeler’s season protected by Title IX will be forfeited.

The case references the Supreme Court’s decision on June 30 in West Virginia v. B.P.J., which allows states to restrict girls’ teams to biological females. It also cites Mirabelli v. Bonta, connected to parental rights, from March.

Relatedly, the U.S. Department of Education initiated a Title IX investigation into the district in February. Two Rogers High School administrators were charged with not reporting as mandated. Prosecutors did not bring charges against Keeler’s opponent.

The district has opted not to comment, citing privacy laws and ongoing litigation. The case has attracted inquiries for comments from various organizations, including the WIAA, the Puyallup School District, and the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.