Teen Wrestler Alleges Sexual Assault by Trans-Identifying Opponent

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A 16-year-old female wrestler in Washington state, Kallie Keeler, has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by her transgender-identifying male opponent during a match on December 6. Keeler says the opponent forcefully inserted his fingers into her private area, causing her distress. The Puyallup School District is accused of failing to report the incident to law enforcement for nearly two months, despite state law requiring such reports within 48 hours.

Why it matters

This case has raised serious concerns about the safety and fairness of allowing transgender-identifying athletes to compete in women's sports, as well as questions about how school districts handle allegations of sexual assault. It has sparked a debate over balancing inclusion and protecting female athletes.

The details

According to Keeler's testimony, during a wrestling match, her transgender-identifying male opponent from Emerald Ridge High School forcefully inserted his fingers into her private area, causing her to feel violated and disoriented. Keeler allowed herself to be pinned in order to end the match. Wrestling experts reviewed the video and concluded the alleged contact was not accidental and did not align with typical wrestling moves. The Puyallup School District is accused of failing to report the incident to law enforcement for nearly two months, despite state law requiring such reports within 48 hours.

• The alleged incident occurred on December 6, 2025.
• Keeler reported the incident to her mother immediately after the match.
• The Puyallup School District did not report the incident to the Pierce County Sheriff's Office until January 30, 2026, one day after media contacted the district for comment.

What’s next

The Pierce County Sheriff's Office has confirmed an active criminal investigation into the incident. The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Keeler's opponent out on bail.