On December 6, 2025, a high school wrestling match at the Lady Jag Kickoff Tournament in Washington became the center of a serious allegation and subsequent criminal investigation. Kallie Keeler, a 16-year-old sophomore at Rogers High School, claimed that she was sexually assaulted by an opponent from Emerald Ridge High School during their 190-pound bout. This opponent was later identified as Taufa'ase'e "Trixie" Tei, a transgender athlete who competes in girls' wrestling under Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) rules.
According to Keeler's account, she was unaware Tei was biologically male before the match. During the contest, Keeler alleges that Tei made inappropriate contact with her genital area, which led her to concede the match. The incident was captured on video by Keeler's mother. Following the match, Keeler reported the incident to her coach and her mother. It was only then that the family learned of Tei's gender identity from a coach of another school.
Keeler's parents reached out to school officials at Rogers High School, expressing their concerns and seeking answers on how the district would address the incident. However, they reportedly received little to no meaningful response. Nearly two months later, the school reported the allegations to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office, which is now actively investigating the case. This delay in reporting is particularly significant, as Washington law typically requires suspected sexual assaults to be reported within 48 hours.
This case has intensified the ongoing national debate regarding transgender participation in girls' high school athletics. Advocates for female athlete safety, such as Marshi Smith of the Independent Council On Women’s Sports (ICONS), stress that full-contact competition must ensure the safety and informed consent of all athletes. Critics of the current WIAA policy argue that it does not adequately protect female athletes from the physical and psychological risks associated with competing against biologically male athletes in contact sports.
Data from HeCheated indicates a growing number of biological males competing and succeeding in female combat sports, which many attribute to innate advantages in strength, speed, and endurance. These trends have fueled calls for policy reform to safeguard young female athletes.
As the investigation by the Pierce County Sheriff's Office unfolds, Keeler and her family are pushing for policy changes that would prevent similar occurrences in the future. The controversy not only challenges the rules of athletic competition but also raises questions about gender identity, fairness, and safety in sports.
