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Two female athletes from Oregon were honored at the seventh annual Fox Nation Patriot Awards Thursday night for their decision to speak out in support of women’s rights in sports after refusing to stand on a podium with 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, were awarded the “Most Valuable Patriot Award” at Thursday night’s ceremony in Brookville, New York, after they refused to stand on the podium in the Oregon Girls State Activities Association’s final placing in the Oregon girls’ high jump in May. event.
Oregon girls athlete Alexa Anderson. (Courtesy of Alexa Anderson)
In a lawsuit filed after the incident, the girls claimed they were excluded from official photos and their medals were withheld.
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“I am so incredibly grateful and none of this would have been possible without the support of each and every one of you who have seen our story, who have shared it and brought our story and our struggle into the national spotlight,” Anderson said during her acceptance speech.
“I want to start by thanking God. I thank God that all of you are 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 receive 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 have continued in their sports at the collegiate level, joined “Fox & Friends” Friday morning to discuss the award and the impact the decision has had on their lives and the fight for women’s rights.
OREGON GIRLS WHO WENT VIRAL FOR REFUSING TO STAND ON PODIUM WITH TRANS ATHLETES FILED LAWSUIT
“Getting that award was honestly just such an honor. It was never something I thought would happen when we stepped off the podium,” Anderson said.
She said that, after reflecting on the decision to speak out, she “100%” believes it was worth it.
“I think fighting for the rights of women’s sports to have a safe and fair environment is going to be a fight we’re going to be a part of for years – maybe even our lifetimes. And it’s so incredibly worth it if we can help all these girls have a safe and fair environment.”
Oregon girls’ 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 stand up for all the girls that are trying to compete at — just 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 is just amazing.”
