As the father of a female sports athlete I’ve been told, over and over, that my biggest fear should be the prospect of her facing a man in the competitive arena.
Whatever the odds are of that actually happening, I’m sure it would be rough.
But do you know what’s much more common, and worries me even more: Watching my girl succeed beyond her wildest dreams, and then watching her world fall apart to the shouting chorus of “Man!” in the background.
These accusations and assumptions have been directed at female athletes for as long as I can remember, dating back to the prime years of the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus. Even today, I can’t log on to X, formerly known as Twitter, without reading some tweet — probably from some dude in a basement — trying to prove Caitlin Clark has an “Adam’s apple.”
Let’s face it, if you’re the leading scorer on your team, or break a record, or you’re simply just a woman who stands over 6 feet tall, detractors will always be there to follow through with questions about your womanhood.
Unsurprisingly, these mutterings have turned into shouts all over again at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Breakout U.S. rugby star Ilona Maher — standing at a robust 5-foot-10 and 200 pounds — has been a frequent target, while Katie Ledecky, the most decorated women’s swimmer in U.S. history, is still being scrutinized by keyboard warriors more than 12 years after her Olympics debut.
Of course the biggest “punching bag” this summer has been Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who rose to the gold medal while being booed every step of the way. A failed “gender test” in 2023 from boxing’s International Boxing Association — an organization the International Olympic Committee has stripped of recognition for repeated corruption — ignited a firestorm of activists against Khelif, who sports a career record of 43-9 with seven knockouts.
Khelif and the IOC have aggressively addressed and debunked these accusations of being a man or a transgender. Khelif’s own father has even shared childhood photos declaring innocence, but the shouts continue. What is it going to take: Khelif’s boxing trunks being dropped in front of a televised audience?
I’ve been an innocent-until-proven-guilty guy all my life, and I also believe some women are naturally born with more testosterone than others. There are medical details and idiosyncrasies — concepts that are way beyond my pay grade (and yours) — that make this more than just a black and white issue.
But for one second let’s assume that Khelif is a bad actor and the manliest dude to walk the Earth, to boot. You’ve caught your guy, congratulations. But at what price?
Was it worth it to tear down countless females during the crusade to get here? Is this what “protecting our girls” looks like?
Imane Khelif won’t see 99 percent of this shaming being written on the internet, but I’m willing to bet our daughters will.
1 STEP BACK, 3 STEPS FORWARD
Franklin and Washington counties have been a hotbed for racing in recent weeks, as we’ve counted at least four big races taking center stage.
We’ll start in Greencastle, where Smithsburg’s Jonah Smith conquered the field of 50 runners at the Fred Kaley 5K. Smith posted a time of 16:23 to lead a group of Top 10 finishers that include Greencastle’s Jarrett Gelsinger (4th in 17:57) and Matthew Smith (8th in 20:23), and Hagerstown’s Johnathan Fox (7th in 20:13). Rowan Shubert, of Greencastle, finished as top female in 23:29, while Waynesboro’s Richard Bryan clocked a 23:35 to take second in the 3-12 AG.
Chambersburg hosted the 35th running of the Ausherman 5 Miler, and rising Chambersburg Area Senior High School senior Liam Kirkpatrick set the tone, blitzing through the race at a 5:35/mile pace to take victory in 27:57 over the field of 132. Julian Clark, of Fayetteville, finished eighth in 29:18, while Chamberbsurg’s Yoel Delessa (30:48), Boston Vincenti (30:50) and Samuel Kinton (31:13) also nailed down top times.
There were two races in three days in Hagerstown, Md., last weekend with the Krumpe’s Donut Alley Rally 5K on Friday and the Jack Roberts Memorial 5K on Sunday.
At the Krumpe’s race, the aforementioned Smith highlighted area finishers by clocking a 15:36 to finish second in the field of 632 runners. Smith was joined in the Top 10 by Hagerstown’s Rishi Bhat (5th in 16:33) and Waynesboro’s Luke Manning (6th in 16:33). Other top finishers include Waynesboro’s Will Campbell (17:02), Noah Bockstie (18:04), Chad Vaughn (19:42) and Bella Ruefle (20:52), Chambersburg’s Christopher Diaz (17:14), and Hagerstown’s Landon Call (17:36), Lucas Young (17:37), Jacob O’Neil (18:27), Lauren Stine (3rd female in 18:38) and Rebecca Tellez (18:59).
The Jack Roberts Memorial 5K saw Michael Wynkoop, a rising junior at Smithsburg, secure victory over the field off 155 runners with a time of 16:58, while Smithsburg’s Michaela Gross finished as top female in 19:57. Top 10 finishers from the race include Hagerstown’s Bryan Durboraw (3rd in 18:10) and Collin Gee (10th in 22:22), Smithsburg’s Alex Faust (5th in 19:52) and Mont Alto’s John Kalons (9th in 21:48).
Fairfield’s Beverly Black and Waynesboro’s Stephen Bui each captured AG awards competing in a pair of Maryland races. Black took on the Frederick Women’s Distance Festival 5K and won the 60-64 AG with a time of 26:10, while Bui posted a time of 23:29 to win the 50-59 AG at the Neon Nights 5K.
In Laporte, Chambersburg’s Vincenti family competed in the Griffin 5K. Boston Vincenti finished fifth in 19:18, while Lennon Vincenti clocked a 26:15 to take second in the 1-12 AG.
Waynesboro’s Katrina Katen was one of the top riders at the Mid-State Gravel Grinder in Philipsburg, piloting her bike to a sixth-place finish in 1:55:33.
A number of others were active in races across the region and beyond, including Chambersburg’s Scott Shildt (1:39:23 at Penns Valley Sprint Triathlon) and Rachel Day (1:37:46 at Captain Bill Gallagher Island 10 Mile Run), Hagerstown’s Mike Stutts (37:17 at Ninja 5K), Ellen Bentz (3:11:24 at Atlantic City Olympic Triathlon) and Caoimhe Roche (2:49:55 at Pirate Half Marathon)
And finally, a shoutout to Fayetteville’s Wing Lam Cheung, who showcased her talents at the mile distance in a pair of races. Competing at the Going Green Mile in Potomac, Md., Cheung won her AG with a time of 6:55. She then visited New York for the Brooklyn Mile and finished with a time of 6:42.
And now, a look ahead:
Gettysburg Brewfest Trail 5K: Saturday, noon, in Gettysburg. Runners can compete on the farmland of the historic Daniel Lady Farm in this race, and then celebrate afterward at Gettysburg Brewfest. Learn more at gettysburgbrewfestandtrail5k.com.
Rail Trail 10 Miler: Saturday, Aug. 24, 8 a.m., in York. The York County Heritage Rail Trail will serve as the backdrop for this race, which benefits the Arc of York & Adams Counties. Runners may look up the race on runsignup.com.
Run Wild for Wildwood 5K/10K: Saturday, Aug. 24, 8:30 a.m., in Harrisburg. Both races are already sold out for this event, which benefits Wildwood Park. Those interested may find the event on runsignup.com.
Also: Cedar Nation 5K (Saturday, in Lebanon); Swatty 25K (Saturday, in Pine Grove); Trail Run in Water 5K (Saturday, in Farmersville); Viking 5K/10K (Saturday, in Akron); Drake Well Marathon (Sunday, in Titusville); Trail Run in Safe Harbor (Sunday, in Safe Harbor); Amos Herr Honey Run 5K (Saturday, Aug. 24, in Landisville); Baker Trail UltraChallenge (Saturday, Aug. 24, in Summerville); Ben & Tim Day 5K (Saturday, Aug. 24, in Hershey); Hyner Half Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 24, in Hyner); Luau 5K/10K (Saturday, Aug. 24, in Manheim); Luau 5K/10K/15K/Half Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 24, in Hughesville); Scranton 4 Ukraine 5K (Saturday, Aug. 24, in Scranton); Hellbender Half Marathon (Saturday, Aug. 24, in Bear Gap); Philly 10K (Sunday, Aug. 25, in Philadelphia).
