Oregon High School Senior Sparks Controversy Over Trans Athlete in Track Meet

Oregon High School Senior Sparks Controversy Over Trans Athlete in Track Meet

Oregon high school senior Alexa Anderson gained national attention after she refused to share the high jump medal podium with a transgender athlete at the state track and field championship. The incident has ignited a broader discussion about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Protest on the Podium

A viral video captured the moment when Anderson and fellow athlete Reese Eckard stepped down from the podium in protest. An official can be seen gesturing for them to move aside. According to Anderson, the official instructed her and Eckard to leave the photo area if they chose not to participate on the podium.

During an interview on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle,” Anderson shared her perspective on the official’s actions. She stated, “We stepped off the podium in protest and, as you can see, the official kind of told us ‘hey, go over there, if you’re not going to participate, get out of the photos.'” Anderson emphasized that the officials wanted them out of sight for the photographs.

Background and Personal Stance

Anderson disclosed that this was her first experience competing against a transgender athlete. However, she has publicly opposed trans inclusion in girls’ sports before this competition, expressing her views through social media. “This is the first public stand that I have taken on this issue, but I have privately supported all the girls that have done so by offering positive messages and comments,” she noted.

Event Results and Impact

In the competition, Anderson from Tigard High School finished in third place in the high jump event while Eckard from Sherwood High School secured fourth place. The transgender athlete represented Ida B. Wells High School and placed fifth.

National Context and Reactions

The situation involving Anderson and Eckard reflects a growing trend in high school sports, where girls have protested against sharing competition spaces with biological males. This incident closely follows reports from California, where officials asked athletes to remove