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Two Oregon female athletes were honored Thursday night at the seventh annual Fox Nation Patriot Awards for their decision to speak out for women’s rights in sports after refusing to stand on a podium alongside a transgender opponent — a decision neither girl realized would become part of the national discourse.
Alexa Anderson, a freshman competing in the pole vault at the University of South Alabama, and Reese Eckard, a member of the Biola University women’s track and field team, received the “Most Valuable Patriot Award” at Thursday night’s ceremony in Brookville, New York, after refusing to stand on the podium at the Oregon State Activities Association women’s high jump final in May after a transgender student placed fifth in the event.
Alexa Anderson, Oregon women’s track and field athlete. (Courtesy of Alexa Anderson)
In a complaint filed after the incident, the girls claimed they were excluded from official photos and had their medals taken away.
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“I am incredibly grateful, and none of this would have been possible without the support of each and every one of you who saw our story, who shared it, and brought our story and our fight to the national spotlight,” Anderson said during her acceptance speech.
“I want to start by thanking God. I thank God that you are all here tonight. I thank God for giving Alexa and I the courage to stand up for the truth,” Eckard added in his. “There are so many girls who deserve this award for their courage.”
Reese Eckard and Alexa Anderson accept the Most Valuable Patriot Award from Will Cain and Martha MacCallum on stage during the 2025 Fox Nation Patriot Awards at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in Greenvale, New York on November 6, 2025. (Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)
The two high school track stars, who continued their sports at the collegiate level, joined “Fox & Friends” Friday morning to discuss the price tag and the impact the decision had on their lives and the fight for women’s rights.
OREGON GIRLS WHO WENT VIRAL FOR REFUSING TO GET ON THE PODIUM WITH TRANS ATHLETE’S CASE TRIAL
“Receiving this award was honestly such an honor. It was never something I thought would happen when we came off that podium,” Anderson said.
She said that when reflecting on her decision to speak out, she “100%” thought it was worth it.
“I think fighting for the right of women in sports to have a safe and fair environment will be a fight that we will be involved in for years to come – maybe even our entire lives. And it will be so worth it if we can help all of these girls have a safe and fair environment.”
Oregon women’s track and field athletes Reese Eckard and Alexa Anderson are not standing on a medal podium next to a trans opponent. (Courtesy of America First Policy Institute)
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Eckard echoed this sentiment.
“It’s just crazy to be able to advocate for every girl that’s trying to compete – in 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, it’s just amazing.”
