A male high school student wins a girls’ pole vaulting competition in Maine, sparking a national debate on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Quick Takes
- A transgender-identifying male athlete won the girls’ pole vault at Maine’s Class B state championship.
- The victory occurred days after Maine refused to enforce President Trump’s executive order on gender separation in sports.
- The athlete’s performance was mediocre compared to boys but close to the girls’ record.
- Critics argue the decision threatens the integrity and fairness of women’s sports.
- The Maine Principals’ Association has not commented on the controversial decision.
Transgender Athlete’s Victory Ignites Controversy
A recent high school pole vaulting competition in Maine has become the center of a heated national debate. Katie Spencer, a biological male identifying as female, won the girls’ pole vaulting event at the Class B state championship. This victory came just days after the Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) decided to allow Spencer to compete in the girls’ category, defying a federal order from President Trump aimed at separating sports by biological gender.
Spencer’s performance, while unremarkable in the boys’ division, proved dominant in the girls’ competition. The athlete cleared a height of 11 feet, just shy of the girls’ record of 11 feet, one inch. This jump was eight inches higher than the second-place female competitor. In contrast, the winning boy in the same competition jumped 14 feet, highlighting the significant physical advantages males typically have over females in sports.
Maine just handed a GIRLS’ state pole vault title to a male athlete competing in the girls’ division. This is beyond ridiculous & an insult to every girl who’s worked their butt off to earn that title. It’s time to stop rewarding this unfairness.
Pull the federal funding… https://t.co/pGwatZxqx6
— Kaitlynn Wheeler (@WheelerKaitlynn) February 18, 2025
Political Backlash and Criticism
The MPA’s decision to allow Spencer to compete has drawn sharp criticism from women’s sports advocates and political figures. Maine State Representative Laurel Libby has been particularly vocal in her opposition to the decision.
“The decision by the Maine Principals’ 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,” Libby stated.
Libby has called for an investigation into the matter and urged the Trump administration to take action to protect female athletes. The American Parents’ Coalition has also condemned the MPA’s decision, emphasizing the need for a level playing field in women’s sports.
“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,” said the American Parents’ Coalition in a statement.
From 5th to 1st with this one simple trick!!! pic.twitter.com/cgcxsM6kiv
— Steve Robinson (@BigSteve207) February 18, 2025
Impact on Women’s Sports
The controversy extends beyond this single event. Spencer’s victory contributed to Greely High School girls’ track and field team winning the championship by a single point. This outcome has raised questions about the fairness of allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports, potentially altering team standings and individual achievements.
Allen Cornwall, a Scarborough High School coach, recused himself from judging the event due to his objections over Spencer competing against girls. Cornwall expressed concern that female athletes who have trained for years are being unfairly sidelined by this decision.
“They’re [“Katie”] going to be the conference champion, quote unquote girls Conference champion. They’ll be the quote unquote girls state champion for the class B athlete. And these girls that have been competing for years, working towards this, are just being sidelined, and it’s really disgusting,” said Cornwall.
Looking Ahead
The future of transgender athletes in Maine’s school sports remains uncertain. President Trump’s executive order threatens to pull federal funding from schools that allow biological males to compete in women’s sports. This financial risk may force the MPA and other athletic associations to reconsider their policies. With no comment from the Maine Principals’ Association, many are left wondering how this issue will be resolved and what it means for the future of women’s sports in the state and potentially across the nation.
