Oregon State Championship: Girls’ Track Athletes Protest Trans Inclusion on Podium

At the recent Oregon State Championship, a significant moment unfolded involving a pair of girls’ track and field athletes. These athletes chose not to stand on the medal podium alongside a transgender competitor following the high jump event.

Video footage captured by Fox News Digital highlights the actions of two high school seniors, Reese Eckard from Sherwood High School and Alexa Anderson from Tigard High School. According to the footage, both athletes stepped down from their positions on the podium next to a trans athlete representing Ida B. Wells High School.

Eckard secured fourth place while Anderson finished in third, placing ahead of their transgender competitor who tied for fifth. Interestingly, as officials awarded medals to the other participants, both Eckard and Anderson turned their backs to the ceremony.

Following this incident, an official approached the two young women and motioned for them to move. Subsequently, Eckard and Anderson walked away from the podium area, opting to stand off to the side, quite visibly distancing themselves from the celebration.

Fox News Digital has since reached out to the Oregon School Activities Association for comments regarding this incident.

It is noteworthy that the transgender athlete had previously competed in the boys’ category for the past two years, raising questions about fairness and inclusion in women’s sports. They have reportedly faced scrutiny and debate regarding their participation in female divisions, especially given their competitive history.

The actions of Eckard and Anderson received support on social media, where many praised them for their stand. Prominent conservative activist Riley Gaines notably expressed her admiration for their choice.

In a statement to Fox News Digital, Anderson explained their reasoning. She emphasized that their actions were not fueled by hatred but were a necessary protest to protect the integrity and fairness of girls’ sports. She conveyed the message that standing up for what is right is essential.

The practice of girls and women making symbolic gestures to protest the inclusion of transgender athletes has gained traction. For instance, on May 17 during a California track and field sectional final, Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School made headlines. After her trans opponent, AB Hernandez, stepped down from the podium, Hogan stepped up from the second-place spot to take the first-place position, a move that was met with widespread approval on social media.

A similar incident occurred involving women’s fencer Stephanie Turner on April 2. She was seen kneeling to protest against competing against a trans opponent in Maryland, an act that led to punishment and sparked a larger conversation surrounding the rules of gender competition.

Oregon joins a list of Democratic-controlled states where transgender athletes have participated in girls’ track and field championships this season. This situation mirrors trends observed in other states, including California, Washington, Maine, and Minnesota, all of which have experienced their share of controversy surrounding this issue.

The America First Policy Institute, a research organization that advocates for traditional policies, has recently filed a Title IX discrimination complaint against the state of Oregon. Their argument rests on the assertion that current laws allow biological males to compete in girls’ sports, a situation they believe violates federal mandates.

The complaint, directed to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, comes in light of ongoing Title IX investigations against high school sports leagues in several states, including California, Minnesota, Maine, and Massachusetts.

Jessica Hart Steinmann, the executive general counsel of AFPI, made a statement underscoring the necessity for fairness in athletics. She affirmed that every girl should have an equitable opportunity to compete fairly both on the field and on the podium.

The political landscape continues to influence discussions surrounding this topic. In February, President Donald Trump signed the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order, marking a firm stance against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports. His administration has prioritized addressing what it sees as overreach by Democratic states concerning the treatment of female athletes.

Recent developments include the U.S. Department of Justice launching a lawsuit against Maine, which defied the mandates set by Trump’s executive order. Additionally, President Trump hinted at potential pauses in federal funding directed at California due to ongoing controversies involving transgender athletes.

Stand Up for Fair Play

This ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports raises critical questions about equality, fairness, and the rights of all competitors. As discussions continue, athletes like Eckard and Anderson, along with others, serve as catalysts for dialogue on the implications of inclusion policies in sports. The conversation around gender identity and athletics will likely continue to evolve, prompting further scrutiny and discussion in both policy and public opinion.