Washington High School Girls Protest Male Athlete in Cross-Country Race

Several female high school athletes in Washington state walked away from a cross-country race on Tuesday to protest competing against a transgender athlete who had previously competed on the boys' team. The protest involved approximately a dozen runners from Skyview High School, including students Charlie Garret and Sierra Retzlaff.

Instead of starting the race, these students walked a short distance before leaving the course. Garret and Retzlaff stated their decision was motivated by concerns over fairness. "He’s taking that spot. I don’t think that that’s right or fair," Retzlaff said in an interview on Fox News' "Fox & Friends."

Garret echoed these sentiments, stating, "I agree with Sierra, I don’t think it’s fair at all and he’s taking away a spot from every single girl that lines up on that line." Both Garret and Retzlaff had written "keep women in women's sports" on their arms and legs as part of their protest.

The male runner in question finished first in the girls' varsity race on September 29. This followed his 76th-place finish in the boys' junior varsity race on September 5. Some members of the male runner's own team also reportedly joined the protest by refusing to compete.

Retzlaff's parents supported her protest, with her father attending the event with signs. However, he was reportedly asked to leave by an athletic director who deemed the signs inappropriate. "Obviously it’s great not feeling like you’re the only one doing something and having the people that are always with me through everything really helped a lot," Retzlaff commented on her parents' support.

The Camas School District stated that it adheres to Washington Interscholastic Activities Association eligibility rules and Washington state law. However, an upcoming vote could alter these policies. On November 3, Washington voters will consider Initiative 638, a measure that would prohibit individuals identified as biologically male from participating in certain female-only athletic competitions. The initiative, if passed, would require verification of biological sex from a healthcare provider for such competitions.

Should Initiative 638 be approved, it would not take effect in time for the current cross-country season, as the state championships are scheduled for November 7, and the measure would go into effect 30 days after the election.