16-Year-Old Girl Alleges Sexual Assault During Girls’ Wrestling Match by Biologically Male Opponent

A federal investigation has been launched following allegations that a 16-year-old Washington state student was sexually assaulted during a girls’ wrestling match by an opponent who is biologically male and identifies as a woman.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced on Friday it has opened a directed Title IX investigation into the Puyallup School District. Federal officials will determine whether the district violated Title IX by allowing males to compete in female sports, granting access to girls’ locker rooms, and failing to properly respond to sexual assault allegations.

The case centers on a December 6, 2025, wrestling match involving Kallie Keeler, a 16-year-old sophomore at Rogers High School who competed in the girls’ 190-pound division. Keeler has voluntarily gone public with her identity after alleging that during the bout, while she was face-down on the mat, her opponent “reached between her legs and, very forcefully for several seconds, tried to push my fingers in my vagina.”

She described initially believing her opponent was female because the competition was designated as a girls-only event. Moments after the match, Keeler learned from a coach at another school that the wrestler was biologically male and identifies as a woman. “I was just kind of like, what? What the heck?” Keeler said in an interview on the podcast “unDivided with Brandi Kruse.” She allowed herself to be pinned to end the match. Afterward, she told her mother and attempted to report the incident to her coach but felt uncomfortable.

Her parents emailed school officials two days later demanding action. In a statement, Keeler’s mother wrote: “This is a huge issue and something that is 100% not OK. The fact that this was done by a biological male who identifies as a female is an even bigger issue for me.”

According to the family, they did not receive further follow-up from school officials. Under Washington law, public school employees are mandatory reporters required to notify authorities of suspected child abuse or sexual assault. Despite multiple district employees being aware of Keeler’s claims, the incident was not reported to law enforcement until late January—nearly two months after the match.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it has opened a criminal investigation into the alleged incident. Deputy Carly Cappeltto stated the case remains active and that the incident occurred between the victim and a transgender student.

In a statement, the Puyallup School District said it is legally required to protect student privacy and cannot share specific details but emphasized that student safety is a top priority and all reports are taken seriously.

OCR also noted at least a dozen female athletes previously complained about two biologically male students in girls’ locker rooms. Some students reported feeling uncomfortable undressing in front of boys but believed their concerns were dismissed.

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey called the allegations “sickening.” She stated: “That a female athlete was not only unknowingly forced to compete against a male in a girls-only division placing her at increased risk for sexual assault, but that her report of sexual assault during the match was ignored for months” is unacceptable. While the District may prioritize ideological agendas over the safety and dignity of its students, Richey added, “the Trump Administration will not tolerate such conduct.”