Maine Issues Statement On Trump Order Ad State Championships Take Place
The recent Maine Class B state championship in girls’ pole vaulting has reignited a fierce national debate over fairness in women’s sports. A transgender-identifying boy took first place in the event, securing a crucial point that helped Greely High School clinch the overall team victory.
This comes just days after Maine officials publicly stated they would not enforce President Trump’s executive order, which bars male athletes from competing in female sports at public schools.
The athlete in question had previously competed in boys’ pole vaulting under a different name, finishing tied for fifth place two years prior. Now competing in the girls’ division, the student’s victory has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers, parents, and female athletes who argue that such policies undermine the integrity of women’s sports.
State Representative Laurel Libby did not mince words, calling the situation “outrageous.” She urged the Trump administration to intervene, citing concerns that allowing biological males in female sports strips young women of their hard-earned opportunities.
Libby emphasized that the policy not only defies the federal directive but also puts female athletes at a disadvantage, both in terms of safety and competitive fairness.
The Maine Principals’ Association (MPA) has stood firm in its decision to allow transgender athletes to compete in accordance with their gender identity, despite the executive order. This defiance has only fueled the controversy, as organizations like the American Parents Coalition and the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) continue to push back.
Alleigh Marré, executive director of the American Parents Coalition, denounced the MPA’s stance, arguing that it ignores the concerns of parents and female athletes who expect a level playing field. She criticized Maine officials for prioritizing politics over fairness and called on schools to align with federal protections for girls’ sports.
The issue extends beyond this single competition. Critics argue that the precedent set by allowing male-bodied athletes in female sports risks permanently altering the landscape of women’s athletics. Maine’s Department of Education, which announced its refusal to comply with Trump’s executive order in January, remains at the center of this growing dispute.
Meanwhile, voices from the coaching community have also spoken out. Allen Cornwall, a concerned coach, pointed out that the athlete in question had been a “mid-range” competitor in boys’ pole vaulting but has since become dominant in the girls’ category. He described the situation as deeply unfair to female athletes who have spent years training for a championship only to be sidelined.