Female High School Wrestler Files Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Assault by Transgender Opponent at Washington State Tournament

Kallie Keeler, a sophomore at Rogers High School in Puyallup, Washington, has filed a 74-page lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted by a transgender opponent during a December 6 girls' wrestling tournament match against Emerald Ridge High School. Keeler, who was 15 at the time, alleges her opponent — a biological male competing under a female gender identity — digitally penetrated her during the match, and that she allowed herself to be pinned to end the contact. Her mother, who was present and filmed the match, reported the incident to school officials and provided video evidence, but the family says their complaints were ignored for months. The alleged assault was not reported to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office until nearly two months later, after the story gained media attention, which the lawsuit claims violated Washington's 48-hour mandatory reporting requirement for sexual assault allegations. Prosecutors declined to pursue criminal charges last week, citing insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The lawsuit, filed with representation from Alliance Defending Freedom, seeks policy changes requiring parental notification when female athletes are matched against biological male competitors, as well as compensation for Keeler. Washington state law currently permits students to compete in sports consistent with their gender identity, and the WIAA follows that policy.