Mother of assaulted wrestler asks court for advance notice and opt-out option

Stephanie Brown, on behalf of her daughter Kallie Keeler, has petitioned a Washington appeals court for an emergency injunction that would compel the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Puyallup School District to provide advance notice of any male wrestling opponents or permit Keeler to withdraw from those contests. The motion cites recent Supreme Court decisions that require schools to give parents notice and an opt-out mechanism for certain school activities.

U.S. District Judge David Estudillo previously rejected a similar request, stating Brown lacked a right to private information about other students and doubting that girls face a known risk from wrestling males. The lawsuit follows a December incident captured on video in which Keeler reported that a male opponent penetrated her during the match. Alliance Defending Freedom attorney Hal Frampton argues the case highlights harms caused by undisclosed gender information. The district’s Title IX coordinator confirmed Keeler could sit out matches without penalty, but the school has not proactively withdrawn her from male matchups.