Note: we are republishing this story which originally made the news in March 2019.
A Colorado high school wrestler made headlines when he decided to forfeit two state tournament matches against female opponents, citing his religious and personal beliefs as the primary reason for his decision.
Brendan Johnston, an 18-year-old senior from the Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, withdrew from his first-round match against Skyview High senior Jaslynn Gallegos during the recent state tournament. He then made a similar choice in his third-round consolation match against junior Angel Rios from Valley High, effectively concluding his high school wrestling career.
Johnston, who identifies as a Christian, expressed his reservations about the physical nature of wrestling against female competitors. In an interview with KDVR, he stated, “It’s so physical, physically close. I don’t think that’s really appropriate with a young lady. It’s also very aggressive, and I’m not really, I guess, comfortable with that.”
He clarified that his decision stemmed from a complex interplay of his faith, upbringing, and personal experiences. Brendan emphasized that he didn’t perceive female wrestlers as unequal but rather recognized that men and women are inherently different and should be treated as such. He maintained that acknowledging these differences does not contradict the idea of equality between the sexes.