In yet another blow to women’s sports, a 17-year-old biological male competing as a transgender girl has once again taken the top spot in Washington state’s high school girls’ 400-meter championship—prompting a wave of protest from athletes, parents, and supporters of fairness in female athletics.

Verónica Garcia, a student from East Valley High School, cruised to victory in the 400-meter Class 2A race at Mount Tahoma High School on Saturday, finishing nearly a full second ahead of the competition. The crowd’s reaction was anything but celebratory. Spectators booed. Some refused to clap. And signs reading “Save Women’s Sports” and “Keep Women’s Sports Female” made it clear: the public is fed up.

This is the second year in a row Garcia has taken the state title in the girls’ race—a feat that’s drawing increasing criticism as Americans question why young women are being forced to compete against biological males under the guise of “inclusivity.”

Garcia’s presence on the track overshadowed the real story: the perseverance and talent of female runner-up Lauren Matthew from West Valley High School, who, for the second straight year, took second place behind Garcia. Despite training tirelessly and pushing herself to the brink, Matthew was again denied a fair shot at victory.

“I shouldn’t have to push myself to the point of where I’m about to, like, die in order to win,” Matthew told the *Spokesman-Review*. “I don’t want a man pushing me to have to go.”

Crowd sentiment clearly sided with her. Spectators chanted *Matthew’s* name as Garcia was announced as the winner, and the brave teen proudly held a sign reading, “Washington State Track and Field Real Girls 2A 400m Champion.”

Former NCAA swimmer and outspoken advocate for fairness in women’s sports Riley Gaines praised Matthew on social media, calling her the “real state champ.” Gaines, who has been at the forefront of this battle after her own experience competing against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, has long warned that policies allowing biological males into girls’ sports erase the hard work and dreams of young women.

Matthew’s teammate Quincy Andrews, who placed fifth in the same race, put it plainly: “She should have won state last year, and that’s taken away from her, which isn’t fair.”

They’re not alone in feeling robbed. Outside the stadium, four women handed out “Save Women’s Sports” bracelets to passersby. “We’re standing up for the girls,” said organizer Dawn Land. “Because girls deserve fair sports.”

But while real women and girls are demanding fairness, Garcia, instead of engaging in civil debate, dismissed her critics with a smug “get a life.” The arrogance is astounding—especially considering Garcia’s victories come at the expense of biologically female athletes who have trained their entire lives for these moments.

This controversy isn’t isolated to Washington. Across the country, high school athletes and female competitors are beginning to take a stand. In Oregon, two girls refused to share a podium with a transgender competitor during their state championship. In California, 16-year-old Reese Hogan made headlines when she stepped up to the top of the podium after finishing second to a trans athlete who stepped down. And in Maryland, a female fencer was placed on probation simply for refusing to compete against a male opponent.

These young women are showing courage where far too many adults and school boards have failed. The movement to restore fairness in women’s sports is growing, and for good reason. Biological differences between men and women—especially in strength, speed, and endurance—are real and scientifically undeniable. Pretending otherwise doesn’t make sports more inclusive. It makes them unfair.

It’s time for school officials, state athletic associations, and lawmakers to stop caving to radical gender ideology and start protecting girls’ sports. Title IX was created to ensure women had equal opportunities, not to erase those opportunities by allowing biological males to dominate their fields.

Enough is enough. Girls like Lauren Matthew are champions—not just for their athleticism, but for their courage to speak the truth. They deserve fairness. They deserve dignity. And they deserve a level playing field.