A family in Washington seeks intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court after lower courts rejected a teenage wrestler’s request to compete without being matched against male athletes. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) filed an emergency application with Justice Elena Kagan on behalf of K.M.K. and her mother, Stephanie Lynne Brown. The application requests an injunction in the case K.M.K. v. Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA).
K.M.K., identified as Kallie Keeler, is a wrestler from the Puyallup area. She has publicly shared her experience of an alleged sexual assault by a transgender athlete during a match. Wrestling has been a significant part of her life since age four. She has not participated in WIAA events after leaving her team in January, expressing uncertainty about returning if she faces a male opponent again without prior notice.
The family has filed a lawsuit claiming their daughter was sexually assaulted by a transgender athlete in a girls’ competition. They argue that no female athlete should have to choose between the sport they love and their safety.
The emergency application states Keeler, at age 15, competed for third place at a girls’ tournament at Emerald Ridge High School on December 6, 2025. She and her mother claim they did not know her opponent was male. During the match, they allege the opponent penetrated her, and only afterward learned from another coach that her opponent was male.
When Keeler’s mother requested assurance that her daughter would not be compelled to wrestle a male without penalty and with advance notice, the district refused. The district only offered forfeiture if Keeler already knew the opponent’s gender. Gender-identity information is confidential, they stated.
The application requests the Court to prevent officials from forcing Keeler to wrestle male opponents during the appeal. Alternatively, they ask for mandatory notification and a penalty-free opt-out.
The defendants in this case include the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, Superintendent Chris Reykdal, and the Puyallup School District. The transgender athlete and family are not included in the lawsuit.
A federal judge in Tacoma denied a preliminary injunction on August 23. The Ninth Circuit also denied an emergency injunction on September 25, questioning the strength of Keeler’s case for pre-season relief. The wrestling season in Washington starts in mid-November, and ADF argues that without an immediate order, Keeler will lose her season, which Title IX aims to protect.
The filing cites the Supreme Court’s decision in West Virginia v. B.P.J., allowing states to limit girls’ teams to biological females, and the Mirabelli v. Bonta order concerning parental rights.
The U.S. Department of Education began a Title IX investigation into the district in February. Two Rogers High School administrators face charges for failing to report the incident, although prosecutors did not charge the opponent.
The district has refrained from commenting due to student privacy and ongoing litigation. Attempts to seek comments from the WIAA, the Puyallup School District, and the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction regarding the Supreme Court application were made.
Jackson Thompson, a sports reporter for Fox News Digital, covers significant political and cultural issues in sports with an investigative approach. His reports have influenced federal government actions related to Title IX and have been featured in leading media outlets.