Washington wrestling assault lawsuit moves to appeals court

A lawsuit involving a 15-year-old female wrestler, Kallie Keeler, has moved to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The case follows an incident in December 2025 at a Washington Interscholastic Activities Association event, where Keeler was matched against a male athlete without prior notice to her or her mother.

Legal representatives from the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) allege that Keeler was sexually assaulted by the male athlete during the match. The lawsuit further claims that Washington state officials violated a mandatory 48-hour reporting law by waiting 53 days to document the incident.

The plaintiffs, Keeler and her mother Stephanie Brown, are seeking relief after a lower court denied their suit. The legal team is urging the appellate court to require state and school officials to prioritize girls' safety and respect parental rights regarding athletic matchups.