Washington Cross-Country Runners Walk Out Over Male Teammate
At a Washington state cross-country meet, about a dozen female athletes from Camas High School walked away rather than race against a male teammate who had switched from the boys’ team to the girls’ team. The runner had competed on the boys’ team earlier in the season and later placed in girls’ varsity events. The protest drew national attention and occurred during a meet against Battle Ground High School.
At Camas High School in Washington, roughly twelve female runners, including Holly Burns, stepped off the course during a Tuesday meet against Battle Ground rather than line up with a teammate who had moved from the boys’ squad to the girls’ squad. The athlete had placed 76th in a boys’ junior varsity race earlier in the season, then won one girls’ varsity event and took second at another invitational.
On Saturday, the same runner finished 39th among 135 competitors in 18:36.8. A report said the switch was permitted under state high school sports rules, and the athlete uses she/her pronouns. A journalist also said some seniors and captains skipped the race, while many Battle Ground runners declined to participate.
The walkout could intensify debates over transgender participation in school sports, affecting athletes, coaches, and administrators who must balance inclusion, fairness, and team cohesion. It may encourage similar protests or counterprotests, while drawing attention from policymakers and sports governing bodies. For students, the episode could shape how they experience competition and belonging; for schools, it may increase pressure to clarify eligibility rules and manage public scrutiny.