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3mo ago

Trans-Identifying Athlete Wins Maine Girls' Pole Vault Championship in Defiance of Federal Order

Maine schools risk federal funding after allowing a trans-identifying male student to compete in girls' sports, violating President Trump's executive order.

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 05: U.S. President Donald Trump joined by women athletes signs the “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order in the East Room at the White House on February 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. The executive order, which Trump signed on National Girls and Women in Sports Day, prohibits transgender women from competing in women’s sports and is the third order he has signed that targets transgender people. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Overview

  • Katie Spencer, a trans-identifying athlete from Greely High School, won the Maine Class B girls' pole vault championship with an 11-foot jump.
  • Spencer, who previously competed in boys' pole vaulting under the name John, would have placed 10th in the boys' division with the same performance.
  • Greely High School's girls' team secured the state championship by a single point, with Spencer's victory contributing 10 points to the team total.
  • The Maine Principals' Association and Department of Education have allowed trans-identifying athletes to compete in girls' sports despite a recent executive order from President Trump prohibiting this practice for federally funded schools.
  • Critics, including Maine State Rep. Laurel Libby, argue the decision undermines fairness in girls' sports and jeopardizes federal education funding for Maine schools.