On Sept. 15, there was something more important to Skyview High School cross country athletes Charlie Garrett and Sierra Retzlaff than their race at Camas High School. The girls felt it was important to make a statement in support of the rights for girls like them not to be forced to compete against biological males.
Let’s Go Washington officials and news personality Brandi Kruse each reported this week that an athlete at Camas High School had competed on both the boys’ cross country and the girls’ cross country teams in the same season. Clark County Today also published an opinion written by Editor Ken Vance about this news.
Garrett, a junior captain of the Skyview team, and Retzlaff, a sophomore, are two of the top runners on their team. Garrett is a past state meet participant. Each of the two have goals they hope to accomplish this season. But, they set those goals aside at that meet three weeks ago.
“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.
“I felt that it was unfair for me and that girls were having our opportunities taken away by something we couldn’t control,’’ Garrett said. “The kid started as a biological male at the beginning of the season and then a week later decided they would like to be entered in girls’ races. It troubles me that spots are being taken away from me at bigger meets like districts, regionals and state. Athlete’s spots are being taken away and scholarships are being taken away.’’
Retzlaff told Clark County Today that the two girls wrote “Keep Women in Women Sports’’ on their arms and legs before staging their protest at the start of the race.
“We did it because we didn’t want to act like we were OK with what was happening,’’ Retzlaff said. “A biological boy is biologically different than a female and that is an unfair advantage.’’
Retzlaff says she lives with that reality in her personal life. She has a twin brother.
“I’m 11 minutes older than him,’’ Retzlaff said. “He’s built way differently than me. He’s bigger than me and stronger than me. There’s just a big difference between a male and a female.’’
According to Retzlaff, the Camas runner in question finished seventh in the girls race on Sept. 15.
“They placed 7th in the girls’ race but based on their time they would have placed like 60th if they would have ran with the boys,’’ she said. ‘If they don’t separate us, eventually all the top runners will be all biological boys.’’
Garrett said that “a lot of people are very supportive’’ of her decision and that “people I really care about are supportive.’’ There was some initial tension with her teammates but she said they have worked through that.
“I recently talked to our girls’ team and told them we had no ill intentions toward this person,’’ Garrett said. “I was just not comfortable racing against a biological male.’’
Garrett and Retzlaff expect to face the runner from Camas at the district meet later this month. If that happens, the girls don’t plan on making another statement.
“I’m just going to race to the best of my abilities and do my best to place as high as I can,’’ Garrett said.
“I will treat them with respect and kindness,’’ Retzlaff said. “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.’’
Although both girls are too young to vote, they are well aware of the fact that Washington voters will have a voice on this issue in the Nov. 3 general election. Initiative 638 proposes to amend state law to prohibit transgender girls from competing in school athletic activities intended exclusively for females, and to require healthcare providers to verify a student’s biological sex to determine eligibility.
“I do think my actions can make a difference and bring awareness to this issue that me and all the other girls are facing,’’ Garrett said. “There is a bill on the ballot in November and anybody can vote for it. I think my actions can spread awareness that this is an issue that us girls are facing.’’
“I hoped for attention to be drawn to this issue and I would say that has been true,’’ Retzlaff said. “I would vote yes about separating the races based on your biological gender. I hope that people vote for what’s right.’’
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