Champlin Park High School’s softball team punched its ticket to the Minnesota State Championship for the first time in school history Wednesday night.
The Rebels edged out White Bear Lake 3-2 in a nail-biting semifinal, and right in the middle of it all was their star pitcher, Marissa Rothenberger, a transgender athlete whose presence has stirred heated debate across the state.
Rothenberger not only threw a complete game but also knocked two crucial doubles at the plate. The Rebels’ dugout erupted as the final out was recorded, but the celebration came with a backdrop of tension.
Rothenberger, who was assigned male at birth and transitioned at a young age, has become a lightning rod in the broader discussion around transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
Breakout Performance And A Growing Divide
The 17-year-old pitcher’s performance was undeniably impressive. Head coach Bryan Woodley praised Rothenberger’s all-around game. “She’s always clutch,” Woodley told TwinCities.com. “I think she’s the best centerfielder in the state. She’s just a great all-around player.”
Earlier that same day, Rothenberger helped shut out Eagan 5-0 in the quarterfinal. While fans in the stands cheered, some parents wore shirts reading “Save Girls’ Sports.” The message couldn’t have been louder. As one mother told OutKick, “I was pretty disappointed and frustrated. I knew it was eventually going to happen to my daughter. I was sad to see it happen to her.”
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Champlin Park walks it off against White Bear Lake to advance to the Minnesota state championship game.
— Amber Harding Snyder (@TheAmberHarding) June 4, 2025
Marissa Rothenberger (not the batter here) had 2 doubles and pitched another complete game. pic.twitter.com/SMEpFAYtAA
The controversy goes beyond the field. In May, a lawsuit named Rothenberger as the unnamed male athlete allegedly taking away opportunities from cisgender girls. The suit targets Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and the Anoka-Hennepin School District. The filing argues that allowing Rothenberger to compete creates an uneven playing field and violates the rights of female athletes.
The school district declined to comment on Rothenberger directly, citing privacy laws, but did issue a general statement. “All of the student athletes participating for the Champlin Park Softball team are eligible to compete in compliance with Minnesota State High School League rules and applicable state law,” the statement read.
Transgender participation in high school sports remains rare but high-profile. According to NCAA President Charlie Baker, fewer than ten transgender athletes competed among over 500,000 collegiate student-athletes nationwide as of late 2024.
For now, Rothenberger and the Rebels are locked in on the state title. But the noise around them isn’t fading anytime soon.
