Opinion

I lost a state championship to a boy. I refuse to lose my voice

Our season ended because the opposing team was allowed to put a boy in as the pitcher on a girls’ softball team

By Kendall Kotzmacher Fox News

Published September 27, 2026 9:00am EDT

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Female athletes share experiences competing against transgender athletes

NCAA softball player Kendall Kotzmacher and high school volleyball player Briley Lechner share their experiences competing against transgender athletes during a public hearing. The athletes discuss concerns about competitive fairness, locker room privacy and the impact they say the policies have had on girls' and women's sports.

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I have never been much of a crier.

So when my softball team lost in the semifinals of the Minnesota state tournament, I surprised even myself. I sobbed to my parents and family. I was devastated, confused, and hurt. But underneath it all was a sense of helplessness.

I was a senior, and my biggest goal was to make the state tournament and play alongside my younger sister. We made it. We battled through the tournament as underdogs. And then our season ended because the opposing team was allowed to put a boy in as the pitcher on a girls' team. His team went on to win the girls' high school state championship.

WE WERE FORCED TO COMPETE AGAINST A MALE. THE SUPREME COURT HAD OUR BACKS

I wasn't crying because we had simply lost a softball game. I was crying because I couldn't........

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