On May 31, 17-year-old transgender athlete Verónica Garcia defended her state title, winning the Class 2A 400-meter race for the second consecutive year at Mount Tahoma High School in Washington. She clocked a time of 55.70 seconds, staying focused despite being heckled by a man wearing a “Save Women’s Sports” shirt before the race.

After crossing the finish line, Verónica proudly held up a sign declaring herself the champion. In response to the criticism she’s faced, she said the negative attention only motivated her to perform better. “It made me angry—not to give up, but to push harder,” she said. “It’s a shame they have nothing better to do.”

Runner-up Lauren Matthew expressed frustration after the race and misgendered Verónica in her comments, sparking renewed debate over transgender athletes in high school sports.

Verónica stood firm in her message: standing up for yourself and others is important, especially in the face of criticism and hostility. Her performance—and the conversation surrounding it—highlight the ongoing national discussion about inclusion, fairness, and identity in youth athletics.