Trans athlete has strong message for critics after winning track and field championship for second year straight

Last updated on 24 JUN 2025

When 17-year-old Verónica Garcia crossed the finish line at the Washington State Track and Field Championships, she wasn’t just claiming her second consecutive title in the 400-meter sprint—she was also stepping deeper into a national conversation that has grown increasingly loud, contentious, and personal. As a transgender high school athlete, Garcia’s presence on the track has drawn both admiration and criticism, her victories celebrated by some and challenged by others who view her participation as emblematic of a larger cultural divide. What should have been a moment of athletic triumph was instead marred by public heckling, political protest, and pointed attempts to undermine her legitimacy. And yet, Garcia remained poised, issuing a message not of defiance for its own sake, but of self-assurance in the face of scrutiny: “I did what I came to do, and that’s good enough for me.” Her words—firm, measured, and deeply human—echo the voices of many trans youth who are asking not to be exceptional, but simply to be allowed to compete, to belong, and to thrive.

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A Victory Amid Controversy

On May 31, 17-year-old Verónica Garcia secured her second consecutive state title in the Class 2A 400-meter sprint at the Washington State Track and Field Championships, held at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma. Competing for East Valley High School, Garcia clocked a winning time of 55.70 seconds—nearly a full second ahead of West Valley’s Lauren Matthew, who finished in second place. Not only did Garcia improve upon her own time from the previous year, but she also demonstrated a consistent level of athletic excellence that should, by all accounts, command respect. Yet her performance took place under the weight of a growing national debate, as well as a more immediate and personal wave of hostility. In the moments leading up to the race, Garcia was subjected to heckling from a spectator seated near the starting blocks. The man, according to The Seattle Times, wore a shirt emblazoned with the phrase “Save Women’s Sports” and the American flag. He repeatedly shouted phrases such as “girls race” in a pointed effort to draw attention to Garcia’s identity as a transgender athlete. His actions were not subtle protests but overt attempts to disrupt and provoke. The scene unfolded in full view of other athletes and spectators, underscoring how politicized and polarized the environment around youth sports—and particularly around trans inclusion—has become.

Following the race, the tension escalated further. Lauren Matthew, who placed second, held up a sign reading, “Washington State Track and Field Real Girls 2A 400m Champion.” While such actions were applauded by some online critics of trans participation in women’s sports, they also highlighted a profound lack of empathy and a refusal to acknowledge the complexity of the issue. Notably, in a post-race interview with the Spokesman-Review, Matthew stated, “I shouldn’t have to push myself to the point of where I’m about to, like, die in order to win,” while misgendering Garcia in her comments. Her remarks were part of a larger narrative in which competition is increasingly framed not just in terms of athletic ability, but in terms of identity and exclusion. Garcia, however, chose not to be diminished by the controversy. Speaking candidly with the Seattle Times, she acknowledged that she expected some degree of backlash. “It made me angry,” she said. “But not angry as in, I wanted to give up, but angry as in, I’m going to push.” Her response reflected not just resilience, but also clarity of purpose. She continued, “I’m really proud of myself. I did what I came to do, and that’s good enough for me.” Referencing Martin Luther King Jr., she concluded, “You have to do what’s right. Even if there comes risk, you still have to do what’s right.” Her words served as a quiet rebuke to the vitriol surrounding her and as a testament to the integrity with which she carries herself, both as an athlete and as a young person navigating a deeply contentious space.

The Broader Debate Around Inclusion and Fairness

The debate over transgender athletes in school sports, particularly in girls’ and women’s categories, has become one of the most polarizing cultural and legislative flashpoints in the United States. Supporters of bans on trans participation in girls’ sports argue the issue is one of fairness, citing presumed biological advantages. Opponents, however, emphasize the importance of inclusivity, mental health, and the rights of transgender youth to participate fully in school life, including athletics. This divide is not merely philosophical—it has fueled a surge of legislative action across the country. As of mid-2025, more than 20 U.S. states have enacted laws or policies that restrict transgender athletes’ participation in school sports, often targeting trans girls specifically. These laws are frequently based on the assumption that individuals assigned male at birth retain athletic advantages post-transition. However, medical and scientific perspectives on this are far more nuanced. The American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association have both opposed blanket bans on transgender athletes, arguing instead for case-by-case evaluations that consider a variety of factors, including hormone levels, training history, and the athlete’s stage of physical development.

Dr. Joshua Safer, Executive Director of the Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery at Mount Sinai, has stated in public interviews that while testosterone levels do impact athletic performance, the actual effect varies significantly depending on the sport and the individual. “There’s no one-size-fits-all,” Safer told Scientific American in a 2022 panel. “The conversation around trans athletes is being politicized in ways that don’t always align with the science.” Multiple peer-reviewed studies indicate that transgender girls who have undergone at least a year of gender-affirming hormone therapy typically see a significant reduction in muscle mass and speed advantages, placing them within competitive range of their cisgender peers. Despite the scientific complexity, the narrative in public discourse tends to flatten into binaries: advantage versus disadvantage, fairness versus unfairness. Lost in this binary are the lived experiences of the young athletes themselves—many of whom are simply trying to belong. Advocates for trans inclusion point out that the physical and emotional benefits of sports—teamwork, resilience, confidence—are especially critical for transgender youth, who face disproportionately high rates of bullying, depression, and suicide.

The Human Cost—and Strength—Behind the Headlines

For many transgender student-athletes, stepping onto the field or track is not just about competition—it’s about survival, identity, and visibility. While public debates rage on about eligibility, hormone levels, and athletic fairness, the emotional reality of being a trans teen in high-stakes, often hostile environments is frequently overlooked. In this climate, Verónica Garcia’s victory and the attention it drew are emblematic of a deeper struggle that goes beyond the stopwatch. Garcia’s own reflections after the race reveal the psychological weight she carries alongside her athletic ambitions. Speaking to The Seattle Times, she admitted that the heckling and boos had an impact, but not in the way detractors might expect. “It made me angry,” she said, clarifying that the anger became fuel, not defeat. Her decision to frame the hostility as motivation is a striking example of the emotional fortitude many trans athletes must cultivate just to participate. “I’m going to push,” she declared—not only through physical training, but through a landscape shaped by doubt and scrutiny. This inner resilience is not uncommon among trans youth in sports, who often navigate not only the pressures of athletic performance but also external pressures to justify their right to be there at all. According to a 2023 report by GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network), only 30% of transgender students feel safe participating in school sports, and many opt out entirely for fear of harassment. For those who persist, like Garcia, each meet becomes more than just a contest—it’s an act of resistance, visibility, and, in many ways, healing. The resilience required is not innate—it is often forged under pressure. Supportive family members, affirming coaches, and inclusive school policies can make a world of difference. While not much is publicly known about Garcia’s personal support network, her composure and clarity suggest she has found ways to stay grounded. Quoting Martin Luther King Jr. in her post-race interview—“Even if there comes risk, you still have to do what’s right”—she placed her athletic pursuit in a moral framework that echoes the civil rights struggle: not seeking special treatment, but equal dignity.

A Culture War on the Track

What played out on the Mount Tahoma track in late May was not just a race, but a reflection of a broader cultural battleground that has placed transgender athletes, often minors, at the center of national controversy. Over the past five years, the issue has become a fixture in political campaigns, school board meetings, and legislative sessions—often fueled less by direct concern for school sports and more by ideological positioning in the wider “culture war.” In this landscape, athletes like Verónica Garcia are frequently caught in the crossfire, their identities used to symbolize issues far beyond their control or choosing. Right-wing advocacy groups and conservative media outlets have played a central role in elevating trans inclusion in sports to the level of moral panic. Organizations like Alliance Defending Freedom and Independent Women’s Forum have pushed for legislation across multiple states, often framing the debate as a zero-sum contest where cisgender girls are presumed victims and trans athletes presumed threats. The presence of protestors at events like Garcia’s race—complete with slogans, flags, and coordinated messaging—is often an extension of these larger campaigns. The “Save Women’s Sports” movement, in particular, has grown from fringe rhetoric into a well-funded, politically active campaign that seeks to ban trans girls and women from competing in female sports categories altogether.

Media coverage has further amplified the divide. Some outlets focus on statistical disparities or frame victories by trans athletes as evidence of unfairness, while others spotlight stories of courage and discrimination. This bifurcation can distort public understanding, especially when scientific nuance is replaced by emotional rhetoric or selectively presented data. Meanwhile, social media—where viral clips and soundbites outpace fact-checking—has intensified the polarization. Following Garcia’s race, video clips circulated widely, with commentary ranging from supportive solidarity to openly hostile misgendering and calls for policy changes.

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