‘Deeply regressive’: Biological male dominates girls’ track and field at Oregon championship

By Faith Perkins

Faith Perkins is a staff writer for The Lion. She graduated from Missouri Western State University with a bachelor’s in convergent journalism.

A transgender high school runner won a girls’ state title in Oregon Saturday, generating boos from many in the crowd who felt it was unfair for the male to be competing against girls.

Aayden Gallagher, a sophomore at McDaniel High School and biological male, took the gold medal in the girls’ 200-meter race at the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) state championship.

As Gallagher crossed the finish line two lengths ahead of 2nd-place finisher Aster Jones, the crowd erupted into loud boos, audible in a video of the event shared online.

As Gallagher was awarded the gold medal on the podium, the boos were even louder, and the female athletes alongside Gallagher refused to applaud.

“Look at the girls on the podium applauding when 2nd place (the rightful winner) is announced,” Riley Gaines, a former collegiate athlete, posted on X. “Then watch them when the boy’s name is announced.

“Stop saying girls are okay with this because they aren’t. This is heartbreaking and deeply regressive.”