US News
Washington high school wrestler appeals Title IX case to Ninth Circuit after alleged match incident
The legal challenge seeks emergency protections against competing with transgender athletes before the upcoming season.
The short version
- A Washington high school female wrestler and her mother have appealed a Title IX lawsuit to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
- The emergency motion seeks to prevent the athlete from being required to wrestle transgender opponents without advance notice or opt-out rights.
- The legal action follows a December 2025 match where the student alleges she was sexually assaulted on the mat by a transgender competitor.
- The plaintiffs have asked the federal appeals court to rule on their request for emergency relief by September 25.
Key facts
- A high school wrestler identified as K.M.K. and her mother, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, filed an emergency appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals asking for action by September 25.[Fox News]
- The lawsuit challenges athletic policies overseen by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Puyallup School District.[Fox News]
- The plaintiff alleges she was sexually assaulted on the mat during a December 6, 2025, tournament match by an opponent she was not informed was transgender.[Fox News]
- U.S. District Judge David Castillo denied requests for a preliminary injunction and interim protection, finding the family had not demonstrated a sufficiently likely risk of recurring harm under the legal standard for emergency relief.[Fox News]
- The family alleges school administrators delayed reporting the December 2025 incident to law enforcement and child-welfare authorities for nearly two months.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- The exact findings and conclusions of the school district's internal investigation remain disputed, as the district judge did not characterize the encounter as an assault in his ruling.[Fox News]
- Whether the Ninth Circuit will grant emergency injunctive relief prior to the requested September 25 deadline remains unknown.[Fox News]