All four of us lost to trans athletes who took away our victories and opportunities

Former high school track athletes Chelsea Mitchell, Selina Soule, Alanna Smith, and Alliance Defending Freedom's Christiana Kiefer on federal appeals court in Connecticut to hear their case on protecting girls sports

Athletic records matter. As track athletes, our records serve as an official recognition of our accomplishments and years spent training and competing. Athletic records also matter to scouts and college administrators determining scholarships and admittance. And they matter to future employers and job prospects.  Our records of athletic achievement during our high school years competing in track and field should have stayed on our resume and with us for life — opening doors for higher education, leadership, employment, and personal fulfillment.  But sadly, for the four of us, our records were tarnished, our accomplishments reduced and our opportunities diminished. 

LIA THOMAS' UPENN TEAMMATE BREAKS SILENCE, SAYS HER CONCERNS ABOUT LOCKER ROOM WERE LABELED 'TRANSPHOBIC' Beginning in 2017, first one, and then two, biological male athletes began competing in girls’ high school track in Connecticut. In just three years, those two males broke 17 girls’ track meet records, deprived girls of more than 85 opportunities to advance to the next level of competition and took 15 girls’ state track championship titles. 

Selina Soule is one of several former high school track athletes challenging rules that allow transgender athletes to compete against girls. 

Four of those championship titles were earned by one of us, Chelsea Mitchell. Four times Chelsea was the fastest female in a women’s state championship race, and four times she watched that title, honor and recognition go to a biological male athlete instead. Over