Camas Runner Sparks Debate Over Girls Cross Country Eligibility

A cross country runner at Camas High School in Washington drew protests and public debate after moving from the boys team to the girls team during the season, with athletes and parents challenging the change while the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association rules allow the switch.

According to Fox News, the runner began the season on the boys team, finishing 76th in a junior varsity race, before joining girls competitions. The athlete later won a varsity meet and placed second in another invitational.

At the Nike Hole in the Wall High School XC Invitational in Arlington, the runner finished 39th among 135 girls with a time of 18:36.8, according to Fox News. The report said the same time would have placed last in the men's elite 5K field.

A Camas assistant coach declined to discuss the controversy at the event, telling a Fox News reporter, "Nobody wants to talk to you. I'm trying to be nice."

Parents from competing schools expressed different views about the eligibility issue. One Lake Stevens parent, Kent Lake, questioned mixed-team competition while saying people should be free to live as they choose.

"We're about as liberal as it gets. I just don't agree with that [boys competing against girls]. I mean, if they find your body in 300 years, what are they going to say you were" Lake said.

Other parents argued that female athletes could lose opportunities under the current rules. One parent told Fox News, "Whether they finish first, 40th or 90th, they're still taking the spot of a girl."

Some attendees defended inclusion in school sports. Parents also told Fox News they believed athletics should focus on student development and respect.

"People can identify however they want. High school sports isn't about winning, it's about student athletes building confidence," one parent said.

Skyview High School runners Charlie Garrett and Sierra Retzlaff protested the situation at a September meet by stepping off the starting line. Garrett said the action was intended to raise concerns about competition rules.

"We found out a biological boy would be in our race running for Camas," Garrett said. "I decided to step off the line with one of my teammates (Retzlaff) and protest against this. We lined up on the start line like we normally do. Once the gun went off, me and my teammate walked about five meters and then stepped off the course."

Garrett said she believed the change affected opportunities for other runners. Retzlaff said she planned to treat the Camas athlete respectfully despite disagreeing with the policy.

"I will treat them with respect and kindness. I will not say anything mean to them. It's not a hate thing.

I'm not being hateful. I'm standing up for what I believe in and for women's rights," Retzlaff said.

The dispute also involved Retzlaff's father, Joel Retzlaff, who received a criminal trespass notice from Camas school officials after a protest involving signs. Superintendent John Anzalone said the notice followed a safety concern involving a restricted area.

Washington voters are scheduled to decide Initiative 638 on Nov. 3. The measure would prohibit transgender girls from competing in K-12 girls sports and require healthcare providers to verify biological sex for eligibility.