Oregon high school athlete sparks debate with varsity victory
A transgender high school athlete in Oregon has made headlines after securing first place in a varsity girls’ high jump competition—just two years after finishing last while competing against junior varsity boys, according to a new report.
From last to first
Lia Rose, who previously competed as Zachary Rose, won the high jump event at the Portland Interscholastic League Varsity Relays on Wednesday with a personal record of 4 feet, 8 inches—two inches ahead of the runner-up.
Online records from athletic.net indicate that on May 3, 2023, while competing as Zachary against JV boys, Rose finished 11th out of 11 athletes with a jump of 4 feet, 6 inches. The winning jump in that meet was more than a foot higher.
The records show Rose competed in the boys’ category in 2023, continued in that category in 2024, and this year, transitioned to compete in the girls’ events.
Transition and performance
In 2024, Rose’s performances against JV boys included a top finish of second place and a personal best of 5 feet. As a sophomore, Zachary’s best track result had been a second-place finish in a JV 3,000-meter race with only two competitors, finishing more than a minute behind the winner.
Lia’s recent 4-foot, 8-inch result is now listed as her personal best.
Portland Public Schools has not confirmed or denied whether Lia and Zachary Rose are the same individual, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in defense of student confidentiality.
Part of a broader trend
Lia’s victory comes just weeks after another transgender athlete, Ada Gallagher, dominated a 400-meter event in the Portland area. Gallagher, a reigning state champion, clocked in at 57.62 seconds—well ahead of second-place finisher Kinnaly Souphanthong from Franklin High School, who ran 1:05.72. Gallagher’s teammate, Quinnan Schaefer, came in third at 1:07.13.
As transgender athletes continue to compete in gender categories aligned with their identities, the conversation surrounding fairness, inclusion, and athletic performance remains front and center in school sports debates across the country.