Sophie Cunningham commends Washington state girls who walked off cross country race over male teammate

WNBA player Sophie Cunningham praised about a dozen Camas High School runners who walked off a cross-country course during a meet against Battle Ground on 13 October, protesting a transgender teammate’s participation in the girls’ race. The incident has attracted national attention and is part of a wider dispute over eligibility rules in girls’ sports.

The teammate had competed in boys’ races earlier in the season before switching to girls’ competition. A rally supporting the Camas runners is planned for 21 October, while Washington voters are due to consider Initiative 638 on 3 November; it would restrict some school sports participation based on biological sex. Supporters say the measure would protect fair competition, while opponents say it would exclude transgender girls and create medical and privacy burdens; the state athletics association says its current policy follows state law.