SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash— There was controversy over the Washington State Track and Field Championship this week. A transgender female student competed in girls’ events, drawing criticism from some activists and parents.
The State Championship gained national attention, reigniting a debate about transgender athletes competing in women’s sports. The student at the center of this controversy attends East Valley High School in Spokane Valley; she won the girls’ 400-meter dash.
NonStop Local spoke to the Assistant Principal and Athletic Director Alec Vermaire, who said he believes it is the student’s success that is drawing so much attention.
“She’s not the only trans athlete in the state of Washington. She had a massive amount of success this past weekend, and that’s why we’re at the forefront.”
In the footage, the East Valley student is yards ahead of other high school girls and won by a full second.
Vermaire said they followed the rules, “It’s not our policy. So what we have to do is follow federal law, state law, and WIAA rules, and that’s what we’ve done. “
WIAA rules state that all athletes will compete in categories that are “consistent with their gender identity or the gender most consistently expressed.”
However, former college athlete turned conservative pundit Riley Gaines took to her social media page with over 50,000 followers to air her grievances. One post on her social media page stated, “Stop saying girls are okay with this. They’re clearly not but the risks and threats they face for even daring to oppose this are real. My heart breaks for them.”
Based on the times recorded, Gaines points out that while she finished in first place against girls, her time of 55.6 seconds was worse than the 16th place finisher in the men’s 400 meter dash.
Vermaire said they anticipated some backlash and had conversations with the WIAA about safety concerns for athletes, but they weren’t expecting national attention, “I don’t think anything prepares you for that backlash that’s coming. I think we’re still learning to navigate that.”
He added that as educators, it’s their job to be inclusive: “We have a right and a responsibility to make sure that they feel supported and safe, regardless of what their situation is.”
He also wanted to remind people that at the center of this is a teen girl who wants to compete.
NonStop Local reached out to Gaines for comment but did not hear back.
