“I think it’s worth it”: Spokane Valley transgender athlete reflects on track and field career amidst criticism

A Washington high school transgender athlete won a track and field championship for the second year in a row, drawing support and adding more fuel to the debate about transgender athletes’ participation in girls’ sports.

Verónica García of East Valley High School won the 2A girls 400-meter race at the state track and field championships in Tacoma last week.

Because García is transgender—her story, her existence and her wins have been a lightning rod for criticism. She has found herself at the center of a nationwide debate since her first state title last year.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE:Controversy follows Spokane Valley transgender athlete named champion

“I think I was just happy. I did what I accomplished. I did what I came to do. It’s my senior year, and I’m proud of myself,” García said.

Since her first win districts across the state have called on the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) to change its current policy that allows transgender athletes to compete with the gender they identify with.

The debate intensified in February when President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, creating a clash with Washington state law.

“For a while, I kind of had a sort of meltdown, in a way, because I’m like… am I not going to be able to go to practice anymore,” García said.

This year, while she received some cheers from the podium, she also faced boos and protests, including athletes wearing shirts that read “Keep Women’s Sports Female.”

García said she thinks the WIAA should have intervened.

“I do generally think that the WIAA should have stepped in to just tell them to remove the shirts – turn them inside out or something. Especially considering there were all females at that race,” she said.

Despite the criticism, García said this year’s experience was more positive.

“I had strangers coming up to me and telling me ‘good job,’ and I did not expect that,” she said.

García said she credits the support from her coaches and reassurance from Washington state leaders with giving her the confidence to return to the track for her final year of high school.

“Part of me was fearful until I showed up back to practice,” she said.

At 17-years-old, Garcia has had to face vitriol head-on, but she said she’s more than the labels others choose to give her.

“I’m an innocent person. I’m a kind person. I’m gentle. And just to portray me as some monster—I can’t believe it, I guess,” she said.

García hopes the WIAA will continue to allow transgender students to compete in girls’ sports.

“A lot of fear is going around, and so taking away an opportunity to play sports with their friends, it’s just going to worsen things.”

This is García’s last year of high school. As she prepares to graduate, she has no plans to compete in college. So, as she closes this chapter, 4 News Now asked her: was it worth running through all the scrutiny?

“I think it’s worth it. The one thing that I want to leave off with people is just don’t be afraid of who you are. I mean, there’s obviously going to be some fear with it. That’s reasonable. But I would also say try not to let it overcome what you enjoy,” she said.