In the wake of the state of Maine saying that it would defy President Donald Trump’s executive order barring biological males from women’s sports, a trans-identified male has won Maine’s state championships for pole vaulting.
The student, going by the name Katie, is from Cumberland’s Greely High School. During Monday’s Class B Championship meet, the student jumped 11 feet, which is just one-inch shy of the state record that had been set in 2024. Per the Maine Wire, the student’s jump would have been a "mediocre score for boys," putting "Katie" in 10th place among the boys’ competition.
Maine State Rep. Laurel Libby drew attention to the transgender student’s Monday win, writing on Facebook, "Two years ago, John tied for 5th place in boys pole vault. Tonight, 'Katie' won 1st place in the girls' Maine State Class B Championship."
Libby said in a statement, "The decision by the Maine Principal’s Association to continue allowing male athletes to compete against female athletes in school athletic competitions is outrageous. Not only does their decision violate President Trump’s February 5 Executive Order but it jeopardizes the safety and privacy of female athletes, all while allowing male athletes to take medals, trophies, and podium spots away from women, effectively erasing them. I urge the Trump Administration to move swiftly to ensure that female athletes in Maine can once again compete on a level playing field, preserving the integrity of women's sports."
Ahead of Trump’s signing of the executive order protecting women’s sports, Maine’s Department of Education took issue with another Day One executive order, writing, "The Executive Order 'Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government' applies to the Federal government/Federal government agencies only and does not inhibit the force of Maine law or locally-adopted school board policies."
In early February, Trump signed the executive order barring schools that receive federal funding from allowing biological males to compete in women's sports. In the wake of this order, the Maine Principal's Association, which oversees school sports in the state, and local schools are continuing to allow biological males in female competitions, which the Maine Wire noted would put their funding in "jeopardy."
Alleigh Marré, Executive Director of the American Parents Coalition, said on Facebook, "Parents across Maine—and the country—are fed up with being ignored while their daughters are forced to compete against biological males. The Maine Principals’ Association’s decision isn’t just unfair; it’s an affront to every parent who expects their child to have a level playing field and is at odds with President Trump's Executive Order protecting girls’ sports. Schools should be working alongside the Administration and supporting parents, not prioritizing politics. The American Parents Coalition applauds Rep. Laurel Libby for standing up for female athletes and bringing attention to this issue."
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