Two Oregon athletes were recognized at the seventh annual Fox Nation Patriot Awards on Thursday night for their decision to speak out for women’s rights in sports after refusing to stand on a podium with a transgender competitor.
According to Fox News, Alexa Anderson, now a freshman pole vaulter at the University of South Alabama, and Reese Eckard, a member of Biola University’s women’s track and field team, received the “Most Valuable Patriot Award” during the ceremony in Brookville, New York.
The recognition followed their decision at the Oregon State Activities Association’s girls high jump final in May, when both athletes declined to take the podium after a transgender student placed fifth.
In a lawsuit filed after the event, the girls claimed they were excluded from official photos and their medals were withheld.
“I’m so incredibly grateful, and none of this would’ve been possible without the support of every single one of you who has seen our story, who has shared it and brought our story and our fight into the national spotlight,” Anderson said during her acceptance speech.
“I want to start off by thanking God. I thank God that you’re all here tonight. I thank God that He gave Alexa and I the courage to stand for truth,” Eckard said. “There are so many girls that deserve this award for their courage.”
The two athletes, who continue to compete in college, appeared on “Fox & Friends” Friday to discuss the award and how their stand has shaped their lives.
“To get that award was honestly just such an honor. It was never something that I thought would happen when we stepped off that podium,” Anderson said.
Reflecting on their decision, she added, “I think fighting for the rights of women’s sports to have a safe and fair environment is going to be a fight we’re going to be a part of for years – maybe even our lifetime. And it’s so incredibly worth it if we can help all these girls to have a safe and fair environment.”
Eckard agreed, saying, “It’s just crazy to be able to stand up for all the girls who are trying to compete at – in just high school or college – just knowing that we fought so hard to protect women’s rights in sports and to be able to say that we took a stand, is just amazing.”
