Lawyers for girl alleging sexual assault by trans wrestler fire back at Washington officials in SCOTUS appeal
A Washington high school wrestler is asking the Supreme Court to intervene before her next season begins after alleging sexual assault by a transgender opponent during a girls' match.
In an Oct. 15 filing, Keeler's attorneys at Alliance Defending Freedom accused three Washington defendants of shifting responsibility for providing protections. The defendants include the Puyallup School District, Washington's Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association.
The attorneys wrote that the defendants' briefs "mostly point the finger at each other, trying to pass the buck for the harm inflicted." They rejected the argument that withdrawing from competition adequately addresses the family's concerns.
Exit isn't accommodation. It's the injury, and Brown and K.M.K. are suffering it now.
Assault allegations
Keeler, identified in court as K.M.K., alleges a transgender opponent sexually assaulted her during a girls' wrestling match in December 2025. Pierce County prosecutors declined to file criminal charges. Her family is seeking protection against being matched with male opponents while its lawsuit proceeds.
The state argued that the "irreparable" nature of Keeler's claimed harm is manufactured, challenging the asserted emergency and likelihood of future injury. The district said Brown could decline matches without district-imposed penalties and cited supportive measures.
Legal arguments
ADF countered that the defendants collectively control eligibility, participation and competition rules. "Defendants each disclaim full power, but in so doing, they ignore that together they hold it all," the reply states.
The attorneys also challenged the suggestion that the family should await the ordinary appeals process. The district's appellate answering brief is due Nov. 19, three days after wrestling practices begin, according to the opposition and WIAA's calendar.
Alongside its Title IX request, ADF outlined an alternative accommodation based on parental rights: Officials would withdraw Keeler when they know or have reason to know an opponent is male. In a tournament, her opponent could advance while she continued in the consolation bracket.
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