A year after igniting a nationwide debate over a transgender athlete competing in girls’ sports, McDaniel High School in Portland, Oregon, is once again making waves for its track and field program. Ada Gallagher, now a junior, is continuing to dominate the competition, this time in the 200M and 400M races at a Portland Interscholastic League meet. But the controversy surrounding Gallagher’s participation has only grown louder, raising questions about fairness in girls’ sports and the ongoing push for gender-neutral policies in high school athletics.

Gallagher’s recent performance at the meet showcased her dominance on the track, with her time in the 400M race — 57.62 seconds — more than seven seconds faster than her nearest competitor, Franklin High School’s Kinnaly Souphanthong, who finished at 1:05.72. In the 200M race, Gallagher continued her winning streak with a time of 25.76 seconds, setting a new season record. Her teammate, Addyson Skyles, trailed in second place with a time of 27.31 seconds.

The results have sparked a fierce debate online, with many critics pointing to the undeniable physical advantages Gallagher, a transgender athlete, holds over her female competitors. As the video of her dominating performance circulated on social media, comments quickly flooded in, many expressing frustration over the situation.

“That experience must be so demoralizing for those girls,” one user wrote. Another added, “The girls should all just start refusing to run and it will soon end.” These reactions reflect growing dissatisfaction among many parents and athletes who feel the competition is unfair when biological males are allowed to compete in women’s events.

The controversy surrounding Gallagher’s victories is not new. McDaniel High School, like many other schools across the country, follows a gender identity participation policy set by the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA). This rule allows students to compete based on their “consistently asserted gender identity,” rather than their biological sex. While the policy claims to maintain “fair and safe environments for all students,” critics argue that it does the exact opposite, putting female athletes at a distinct disadvantage.

The issue has caught the attention of many conservative leaders, especially after the Biden administration rolled back policies aimed at protecting female athletes. President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14201, known as the “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” order, was designed to ensure that women’s sports remain fair and competitive. Trump’s order was a response to the increasing number of transgender women (biological males) entering women’s competitions, a trend that has raised concerns about fairness and safety in women’s athletics.

Oregon Republicans have also expressed concern over the impact of these policies. House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, who is a strong advocate for defending women’s sports, recently promised to introduce a bill aimed at rewriting policies that allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports. “Women have fought for — and earned — respect and support for themselves in sports and have made incredible gains in doing so. We must defend that progress and stand up for fairness,” Drazan said in a statement, echoing the sentiments of many who believe that allowing biological males to compete against women undermines the integrity of women’s sports.

As the debate continues to rage on, the question remains: will states like Oregon continue to prioritize gender identity policies over fairness for female athletes, or will a push for change lead to a more balanced approach in school athletics? With athletes like Gallagher continuing to dominate girls’ sports, many argue that it’s time to stand up for the rights of biological female athletes who have worked hard to earn their place in the competition.