Charlie Garret and Sierra Retzlaff walked away from a cross-country race on Tuesday, refusing to compete against a male athlete who had started the season on the boys' team. The two students, along with about a dozen other girls, left the course shortly after the gun sounded, while the male runner began his race.
Garret and Retzlaff, both students at Skyview High School, criticized the decision to allow the athlete, who attends Camas High School, to compete in the girls' varsity division. Retzlaff told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" that she believed the athlete was taking a spot from other female competitors. She described the situation as neither right nor fair. Garret agreed, stating that the athlete was taking away a spot from every girl on the starting line.
The male runner had finished 76th in the boys' junior varsity race on Sept. 5. On Sept. 29, he placed first in the girls' varsity race. During Tuesday's protest, Garret and Retzlaff used body paint to write "keep women in women's sports" on their arms and legs. Some members of the male runner's team at Camas also joined the protest, refusing to compete alongside their teammate.
Garret praised the Camas athletes for their decision, calling their actions brave and courageous. She noted that it was significant for teammates to stand with the protesting girls despite being on the same team. Retzlaff's parents attended the event holding signs in support of their daughter. Her father was removed from the event after the athletic director reportedly deemed the signs inappropriate. Retzlaff said she appreciated her parents' presence and support during the incident.
Garret indicated that the broader community was supportive of their protest, although her own team members were initially shocked by their decision to walk off. The Camas School District stated that it follows eligibility rules set by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association and Washington state law. However, an upcoming ballot measure could alter these policies.
On Nov. 3, Washington voters will consider Initiative 638. The proposal would bar students identified as biologically male from entering specific female-only interscholastic events. To participate, students would need to submit proof of their biological sex from a medical provider. Even if approved, the measure would not take effect before the state cross-country championships scheduled for Nov. 7. The new rules would go into effect 30 days after the election.