In a remarkable turn of events this week, Lia Rose, a biological male, claimed victory in a girls’ varsity high jump competition in Portland, Oregon, just under two years after finishing last in a boys’ equivalent event.
The 24-inch difference between the heights of her performances in 2023 and 2025 has raised eyebrows, drawing both praise and criticism.
Lia Rose’s Remarkable Achievement in the High Jump
At the Portland Interscholastic League Varsity event on Wednesday, Rose, a senior at Ida B. Wells High School, took first place with a jump of 4 feet 8 inches.
This marked a personal best for Rose, who finished two inches ahead of her closest competitor, Addyson Skyles.
While the performance was a significant achievement for Rose, it also raised questions regarding the fairness of transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports.
The Previous Struggles of Zachary (Now Lia) in Boys’ Competitions
Interestingly, Rose’s victory this year contrasts sharply with her performance just a year earlier.
In May 2023, when competing in the boys’ junior varsity competition, she finished 11th out of 11 competitors, jumping just 4 feet 6 inches—almost a foot lower than the winning male athlete.
Records show that Rose, under her birth name Zachary, participated in boys’ events throughout 2023, even after transitioning to Lia.
Privacy Concerns and Unanswered Questions
The identity of Lia and Zachary remains a sensitive subject. A spokesperson from Portland Public Schools declined to confirm or deny that both names refer to the same individual, citing privacy laws under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). This policy is designed to protect the privacy of students, adding a layer of complexity to the debate surrounding trans athletes in high school sports.
A Pattern of Controversial Wins by Transgender Athletes in Oregon
This latest development follows closely on the heels of another controversial win by a transgender athlete in Oregon.
In 2024, Aayden Gallagher, a 10th-grader at McDaniel High School, won both the girls’ 200-meter and 400-meter races at the 6A-1 Portland Interscholastic League Championship.
Now going by the name Ada, Gallagher continued her dominant streak in 2025, winning both races again by significant margins—over 1.5 seconds in the 200m and nearly 10 seconds in the 400m.
Public Outcry Over Transgender Athletes in Girls’ Sports
The resurgence of transgender athletes dominating girls’ events has sparked a wave of criticism, particularly from those who believe this is unfair to female athletes.
Former swimmer Riley Gaines voiced her frustrations on social media, calling out the continued success of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
“Another day, another boy dominating in girl’s sports,” Gaines wrote, expressing her concern over the implications for fairness in athletic competition.
Political Debate Surrounding Transgender Athletes in Sports
The debate over transgender athletes in sports has gained national attention, particularly in the wake of policies designed to allow individuals to compete according to their gender identity.
After his re-election, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at keeping biological males out of women’s sports.
The order argues that the inclusion of trans women in female competitions undermines the integrity of women’s sports and denies fair opportunities for female athletes.
The Oregon School Activities Association’s Policy
Amid the growing controversy, the Oregon School Activities Association (OSAA) has maintained its stance on allowing students to participate in athletic programs based on their asserted gender identity.
The OSAA’s policy emphasizes creating a fair and safe environment for all students, promoting equal eligibility in interscholastic activities.
However, this approach continues to face challenges as the question of fairness remains at the forefront of public discourse.
As the debate rages on, questions about fairness and inclusion in women’s sports will continue to provoke strong opinions from all sides.
The outcomes of these high-profile cases will likely shape future policies around transgender participation in athletic competitions.
