A transgender-identifying male athlete led Champlin Park High School to their first-ever state softball championship, igniting debate over fairness in women’s sports.
At a Glance
- Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender athlete, pitched a complete-game shutout in the championship final, leading to a 6-0 victory
- Rothenberger pitched all 21 tournament innings, allowing just two runs while also contributing key hits
- The Minnesota State High School League allows transgender participation in female sports, conflicting with federal Title IX regulations
- Parents from competing schools were instructed not to comment on the transgender player or bring political messages to games
- Coach Bryan Woodley praised Rothenberger as “always clutch” and “the best centerfielder in the state”
Championship Performance Draws Attention
Champlin Park High School’s girls’ softball team secured their first-ever Group 4A state championship with a decisive 6-0 victory over Bloomington Jefferson. The win marked a historic milestone for the program, which had never before advanced to this level of competition. At the center of this achievement was junior Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender-identifying male athlete who delivered a dominant pitching performance in the championship game, allowing just three hits while striking out six batters in a complete-game shutout.
Throughout the tournament, Rothenberger’s contributions proved instrumental to the team’s success. The pitcher threw all 21 innings across three tournament games, surrendering only two runs total. This impressive streak included 14 shutout innings in the sectional finals that helped the team qualify for the state tournament in the first place. For these efforts, Rothenberger earned a spot on the All-Tournament team.
🚨 Trans athlete Marissa Rothenberger, a biological male who "transitioned" at age 9, dominates girls' softball in Minnesota, pitching a shutout to reach the Class 4A state tournament. His physical advantages crushed the defending champs in back-to-back games.
Three female… pic.twitter.com/qqSanjaT3b— NewsDaily🪖🚨🪖 (@XNews24_7) May 30, 2025
Critical Contributions Beyond Pitching
Rothenberger’s impact extended beyond pitching dominance. In the semifinals against White Bear Lake, Rothenberger hit two crucial doubles, including the game-winning point in a tight 3-2 victory. This all-around performance demonstrated why Coach Bryan Woodley spoke highly of the player’s versatility. Notably, the team’s other pitcher, Ava Abrahamson, was listed as a designated player throughout the tournament but did not enter any games as a pitcher.
“She’s always clutch. I think she’s the best centerfielder in the state. She’s just a great all-around player,” said coach Bryan Woodley, according to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press.
Including the sectional finals, Rothenberger allowed just two runs across 35 innings to close out the postseason. This level of consistency proved crucial for Champlin Park’s championship run, as the team relied heavily on Rothenberger’s pitching throughout the tournament rather than utilizing their other available pitcher.
Why even have softball?
Let men have all the sports back again. This whole women's sports was an interesting, short lived adventure. https://t.co/Zu8DMuvZqv— Grazie Pozo Christie, M.D. (@GChristiemd) May 31, 2025
Policy Controversy Surrounds Victory
The championship has reignited debate over transgender participation in women’s sports. The Minnesota State High School League allows transgender athletes to compete in female sports, a policy supported by state law including the Minnesota Human Rights Act. However, this stance conflicts with federal Title IX rules established under the Trump administration. The situation highlights growing tension between state-level regulations and national policies regarding transgender athletes in women’s competitions.
Prior to games against Champlin Park, at least one competing school took steps to prevent controversy. Eagan High School’s athletic director sent an email instructing parents to avoid commenting on the transgender player and not to bring political messages to games. Despite these instructions, some parents privately expressed frustration over what they viewed as an unfair competitive advantage and potential Title IX violations, with one parent remarking to reporters, “You’re looking at a whole team of future Republicans.”
