Sophie Cunningham commends Washington state girls who walked off cross country race over male teammate

star Sophie Cunningham praised the Washington state high school girls who walked out of a cross-country race in protest of a transgender teammate.

"Good work girls," Cunningham wrote in a comment on an XX-XY Athletics Instagram post about the protest.

The three-word message echoed her earlier defense of teenage fans caught in a confrontation at a game after showing support for her stance on womens sports.

RALLY PLANNED TO SUPPORT WASHINGTON GIRLS WHO REFUSED TO RACE AGAINST TRANSGENDER TEAMMATE IN CROSS COUNTRY

About a dozen Camas High School runners walked off the course Oct. 13 during a meet against Battle Ground. Their teammate had begun the season competing in boys races before switching to girls competition.

The dispute has drawn national attention and prompted plans for an Oct. 21 rally supporting the runners.

Cunningham has previously argued that girls and womens sports should be separated by sex. In a July ESPN profile, she described her position as protecting opportunities for girls while rejecting accusations that she hated transgender people.

Later that month, two teenage supporters attended a Fever-Storm game at Seattles Climate Pledge Arena wearing XX-XY Athletics shirts and carrying a sign thanking Cunningham for speaking up for girls.

The teenagers alleged that Storm co-owner Celeste Keaton confronted them and used profanity. The WNBA subsequently fined Keaton an undisclosed amount and suspended her from attending Seattles next five home games.

Cunningham then reposted OutKicks reporting of the Seattle controversy in July, writing "Bravo to those girls for standing up for what they believe," on X.

STORM CO-OWNER SUSPENDED AFTER INCIDENT WITH SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM FANS AS STAR BREAKS SILENCE ON CONTROVERSY

Cunningham also emphasized that she welcomed people regardless of gender identity and believed disagreement should not prevent kindness. But she sharply criticized the conduct attributed to Keaton.

"Truly embarrassing of the co-owner. Unfortunately shows the type of leader she is," Cunningham wrote.

Storm majority owner Ginny Gilder apologized for the co-owners comments.

"Everyone who attends a Storm game deserves to feel welcome," Gilder said in a statement that also reaffirmed the teams commitment to treating fans respectfully.

The Fever said at the time that neither the organization nor Cunningham had advance knowledge of the demonstration held outside the Seattle arena or contact with its organizers.

The Camas dispute now brings Cunninghams support back to Washington as voters prepare to consider Initiative 638 on Nov. 3. The measure would prohibit biologically male students from competing in certain female