Charlie Garret and Sierra Retzlaff were among the Washington high school girls who walked away from a cross-country race on Tuesday, refusing to compete against a male athlete who began the season on the boys’ team.
Instead of bolting off the line when the gun sounded, Garret, Retzlaff and about a dozen other girls walked a few meters and then left the course, while the male athlete took off.
“He’s taking that spot. I don’t think that that’s right or fair,” Retzlaff said during an appearance on Fox News’ “Fox & Friends.”
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About a dozen girls walked away from a cross-country race in Washington on Tuesday after refusing to compete against a male athlete who had started the season racing on the boys’ team. (Amy Souza)
“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,” Garret, who appeared on “Fox & Friends” with Retzlaff, said.
In addition to walking off, Garret and Retzlaff used body paint to write “keep women in women’s sports” on their arms and legs.
The male runner finished first in the girls’ varsity race on Sept. 29 after finishing 76th in the boys’ junior varsity race on Sept. 5.
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Garret and Retzlaff both attend Skyview High, while the male runner attends Camas. During Tuesday’s race, some members of the male runner’s team joined the protest, refusing to compete.
“I think it’s amazing what they did and I think it’s really brave and courageous of them,” Garret said. “Especially since they are running with this person and is one of their teammates. So, I really applaud those Camas girls, I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Retzlaff’s parents brought signs supporting their daughter, but her father was removed from the event . The athletic director reportedly said the signs were inappropriate . Although the signs weren’t allowed, Retzlaff appreciated her parents’ support.
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“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 said.
Garret said the community as a whole was supportive of their decision to protest, even if their team was a little shocked at first.
The Camas School District said it follows Washington Interscholastic Activities Association eligibility rules and Washington state law, but an upcoming vote could change the policy.
(From left to right) Female athletes Frances Staudt, Bailey Andersen, Sadie Sullivan, Kendall Kotzmacher and Alanna Smith stand behind emcee and podcast host Brandi Kruse at a Protecting Fairness in Girls’ Sports rally in Vancouver, Washington. (Derek Shook for OutKick)
On Nov. 3, Washington voters will vote on Initiative 638, which would prohibit students defined as biologically male from competing in certain female-only interscholastic athletic competitions. The initiative would require students to provide verification of biological sex from a healthcare provider to enter those competitions.
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However, even if the initiative is approved, it would not take effect in time for Garret, Retzlaff and the other protesting girls. Washington’s state cross-country championships are scheduled for Nov. 7, and the measure would go into effect 30 days after the election.
OutKick’s Jackson Thompson contributed to this report.