Trans Wins Girls Race And Draws Outrage
A transgender athlete has reignited controversy after a trans wins girls race moment shocked Oregon high school sports. Lia Rose, a senior at Ida B. Wells High School in Portland, placed first in a girls’ varsity high jump event—just two years after finishing last in a boys’ meet.
Rose, who previously competed under the name Zachary, cleared 4 feet 8 inches on Wednesday to win the event by a two-inch margin, setting a personal record.
Previous Boys’ Performance Raises Questions
Back in May 2023, Rose finished last in the boys’ junior varsity division, managing a 4-foot 6-inch jump. Athletic records show she competed in the boys’ category until 2024 before switching to the girls’ division in 2025.
The trans wins girls race incident follows a familiar pattern and has fueled debate over what many call an uneven playing field.
Similar Controversy With Another Oregon Athlete
Earlier this year, another trans girl’s race headline emerged when McDaniel High School’s Ada Gallagher, formerly Aayden, swept the 200m and 400m girls’ races at the Portland Interscholastic League Championships. Gallagher won the 400m by nearly 10 seconds.
Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines reacted online, saying, “Another day, another boy dominating in girls’ sports,” and asked whether the athlete or parents felt any shame over the results.
State Policy And Federal Clash
Despite pushback, the Oregon School Activities Association maintains its gender identity participation policy, allowing athletes to compete according to how they identify. “This promotes harmony and fair competition,” the OSAA stated.
However, the Trump administration’s new executive order, “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” directly counters Oregon’s approach. It asserts that biological males competing in female sports is “demeaning, unfair, and dangerous.”
Trans Wins Girls Race: A Growing Trend?
As Lia Rose’s win grabs headlines, the debate over fairness in women’s sports intensifies. Many believe that continued victories like these will force policy changes, while others defend the right of all students to compete based on gender identity.
For now, the trans wins girls race controversy continues to divide public opinion—on the track and far beyond.
