A high school track meet in Pennsylvania made headlines this weekend after a transgender athlete narrowly defeated a freshman runner in the 200-meter race.
Luce Allen, a senior at Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School and a transgender girl, claimed victory by 0.15 seconds, sparking renewed debate over transgender participation in girls’ sports across the state.
What Happened
At the SOL American meet held over the weekend, Luce Allen clocked a personal best of 25.20 seconds in the girls’ 200-meter race.
Allen edged out a freshman runner by just 0.15 seconds. The victory marked Allen’s sixth win of the season, including a team win in the girls’ 4×400-meter relay at the same meet.
Key Details
- School: Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School
- Athlete: Luce Allen (Senior, transgender girl)
- Event: 200-meter sprint
- Result: 25.20 seconds (0.15 seconds ahead of second place)
- Context: Allen has competed in girls’ track events since 2023.
According to data from athletic.net, Allen’s time would have placed near the bottom of the boys’ 200-meter event, where winning times ranged from 21.72 to 21.96 seconds.
Allen did not appear on any team roster in 2022, the year Allen would have been a freshman.
Reactions or Statements
At a Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) meeting in March, a lawyer read a statement on Allen’s behalf:
“If you remove the ability of trans people to compete with a team that corresponds with their gender, then you’ll strip them of their opportunity to develop as people.”
Allen’s mother, Sarah Hansen, supported her daughter’s participation in girls’ sports:
“My child is a female in her heart and soul, and according to her medical labs.”
Coach Christopher Jackson also praised Allen’s contributions to the team:
“Luce’s presence on the team fosters a spirit of unity, sportsmanship, and inclusivity.”
Investigation or What’s Next
Despite President Donald Trump’s February 2025 executive order banning biological males from participating in girls’ and women’s sports, Pennsylvania schools have not enforced the directive.
Trump’s administration has initiated a Title IX investigation into schools like the University of Pennsylvania, known for previous controversies involving transgender athletes, such as swimmer Lia Thomas.
Other states like California and Maine have also chosen to ignore the federal order, fueling a nationwide legal and political debate.
FAQs
Q1: Who is Luce Allen?
A transgender high school senior from Plymouth-Whitemarsh who competes in girls’ track events.
Q2: What was the winning time in the race?
Allen won the 200-meter race with a personal best of 25.20 seconds.
Q3: Is Pennsylvania following President Trump’s executive order?
No, schools in Pennsylvania continue to allow transgender girls to compete in girls’ sports.
Q4: What is the controversy about?
The ongoing debate surrounds fairness in athletics when transgender athletes compete in gender categories different from their sex assigned at birth.
Q5: What happens next for Allen?
Allen will likely continue competing through the rest of the high school season and could qualify for larger state-level meets.
Summary / Final Takeaway
Luce Allen’s narrow victory in a Pennsylvania high school race has reignited the debate over transgender participation in girls’ sports.
While some see the inclusion as a matter of fairness and identity, others raise concerns about competitive balance and compliance with federal directives. The issue remains highly polarized, with legal and social implications continuing to unfold in Pennsylvania and across the country.
