Trans wrestler Mack Beggs saw his 2nd state championship title met with problematic feedback for the 2nd time in a row.
The wrestler was met with as many boos as cheers as he got through the finals to Girls State Wrestling Championship.
End of Mack Beggs title match was chaos. Had huge lead, nearly got pinned, then came the crescendo of cheers/boos. pic.twitter.com/FrLixVsTAj
— Brad Townsend (@townbrad) February 24, 2018
“It definitely felt different,” Beggs said to Dallas news. “I felt a lot more humble. This year I wanted to prove a point that anyone can do anything. Even though I was put in this position, even though I didn’t want to be put in this position, even though I wanted to wrestle the guys, I still had to wrestle the girls.
“But what can I tell people? I can tell the state Legislature to change the policy, but I can’t tell them to change it right now. All I can hope for is that they come to their [senses] and realize this is stupid and we should change the policies to conform to other people in my position.”
“They’re saying ‘ste***ds.’ They’re saying, ‘Oh, they’re beating up on girls,’ ” he said.
“It just comes down to technique and who has the most heart. I put too much blood, sweat and tears, I put too much B.S. into this journey that I wanted to come out on top.
“In my heart, I am a champion. No matter who you put in front of me, I am a champion.”
Prior to facing Beggs Kayla Fitts was 52-0. She reacted with indignation:
“I understand if you want to transition your gender,” she said. “I understand that totally. But there’s a time and a place.
“You can do that after high school. Or if you want to do it, you can quit the sport. Because I don’t think it’s fair at all that you’re taking test*sterone. That’s ster*ids. I know it’s not a lot. But still.”
For Beggs, the title closed a chapter. From now on, all of his competitive wrestling will be against men. USA Wresting and NCAA rules require that, and it’s what he wanted all along.
“My focus is now to go not just NCAA, but train for the Olympics, 2020 and 2024,” he said.
The rules in Texas that have prevented Beggs from wrestling boys don’t exist in the NCAA and USA Wrestling.
