Teen Wrestler Seeks 9th Circuit Ruling on Safety Rights

Seattle attorneys filed a brief Tuesday in the 9th Circuit. They seek protection for teenage wrestler Kallie Keeler and her mother, Stephanie Brown. The case challenges Washington state officials.

Keeler was matched against a male athlete without consent in December 2025. She did not know his gender before stepping onto the mat. The match ended in physical harm and distress.

Assault occurs during tournament match

The incident happened at a high school girls' wrestling tournament. Organized by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the event lacked proper disclosure. Keeler was fifteen years old at the time.

During the match, the male opponent sexually assaulted her. Keeler reacted with visible distress. She left the mat crying and tried to tell her mother what happened.

Officials refuse to stop mixed matches

District officials failed to report the assault promptly. They told Brown they would continue allowing males in girls' wrestling. No notice would be given before future matches.

Brown and Keeler now demand a stop to these policies. They want the right to opt out of competing against males. The legal fight centers on parental rights and safety.

Legal team cites constitutional violations

ADF Senior Counsel Hal Frampton criticized state officials. He described the situation as political cowardice. He argued that biology was being ignored for ideology.

The brief warns Keeler will miss another season. It cites Title IX guarantees for equal opportunity. The court must decide if parental rights take precedence.