Girls REFUSE to Race Against Transgender Athlete — Hundreds Rally

Female high school athletes in Washington state are refusing to compete in cross-country races involving a transgender girl, sparking a growing girls' sports protest and a rally attended by hundreds of supporters in Camas, Washington. The Camas Courage rally brought together parents, student-athletes and community members supporting girls who have protested transgender participation in female school sports. The controversy involves Camas High School, Skyview High School and Battle Ground-area student-athletes, as Washington voters prepare to decide a ballot measure restricting transgender participation in girls' athletics. The Center Square's Washington In Focus Daily reports from the Camas rally and a controversial cross-country district qualifying race, featuring interviews with female athletes, parents and supporters. CAMAS GIRLS' SPORTS PROTEST GROWS The controversy began after a transgender girl at Camas High School began competing in girls' cross-country events during the season, according to the report. Female athletes from Skyview High School and other nearby schools subsequently refused to compete in races involving the athlete, citing concerns about competitive fairness and opportunities for girls in high school sports. The dispute has drawn attention to Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) policies governing transgender student-athlete eligibility, girls' cross-country competition and the broader national debate over transgender participation in female athletics. The Camas Courage rally brought together hundreds of supporters, including parents and students who believe Washington's current athletic participation rules should change. TRANSGENDER ATHLETE FINISHES SECOND IN DISTRICT RACE During the district cross-country competition covered in this report, the transgender athlete from Camas High School finished second in the girls' race. Skyview High School runners Sierra Retzlaff and Charlie Garrett finished third and fourth, respectively. The race results intensified the discussion over podium placements, competitive opportunities, regional qualification and fairness in girls' high school athletics. Supporters of restrictions argue that girls should compete in sex-separated categories. Supporters of transgender inclusion argue that transgender students should be able to participate in school athletics consistent with their gender identity. SKYVIEW STUDENT-ATHLETES SPEAK OUT Sierra Retzlaff and Charlie Garrett, two Skyview High School runners who previously protested the participation policy, discuss their experience following the race. Sierra describes feeling nervous before competing but says she felt good while running. She also reflects on the surprising amount of public attention and encouragement she has received. Their comments offer a personal perspective on how the Washington girls' sports controversy has affected student-athletes. FATHER WATCHES DAUGHTER RACE FROM STREET Sierra's father, Joel Retzlaff, watched the race from outside the school property after receiving a trespass restriction following an earlier incident at a cross-country meet. According to the report, Joel had displayed a sign supporting his daughter and later drove through a designated bus zone while leaving the property. He acknowledged that he should not have driven through the restricted area. The resulting one-year trespass restriction prevented him from watching his daughter's race from the usual spectator area. Joel expresses pride in Sierra and Charlie after their performance. Sierra's mother, Peggy Retzlaff, also addressed the Camas Courage rally, urging supporters to advocate for changes to Washington's girls' sports participation rules. WASHINGTON GIRLS' SPORTS BALLOT MEASURE The controversy comes ahead of Washington's November 3, 2026 election, when voters are scheduled to decide a measure that would restrict transgender participation in girls' school sports. The election has brought renewed attention to WIAA transgender athlete rules, high school cross-country competition, female athletes' opportunities, parental concerns and transgender students' participation rights. The Center Square continues covering the Washington girls' sports debate, the Camas High School controversy, Skyview High School athletes, the Camas Courage rally and statewide education policy. WASHINGTON IN FOCUS DAILY — THE CENTER SQUARE Subscribe for Washington state news, government accountability reporting, education policy, public safety, taxpayer issues and election coverage. Get Washington government and policy news delivered by text about twice a week. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 for important Washington news updates. #GirlsSports #CamasHighSchool #WashingtonNews #TransgenderAthletes #SkyviewHighSchool