Morrisey issues statement on transgender athlete at W.Va. state track & field meet

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va (WDTV) - As the West Virginia state high school track & field meet came to an end over the weekend, Governor Patrick Morrisey issued a statement regarding one of the major headlines — the issue of a transgender athlete competing for Bridgeport amid a pending lawsuit.

The student athlete for the Indians — Becky Pepper Jackson — has been the center of various legal battles throughout the last four years.

Pepper Jackson received 8th place in the shot put competition Saturday and 3rd place in discus. Despite that, Morrisey, who has been very vocal against transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, suggested on Facebook Saturday that officials take matters into their own hands.

“A boy is competing in girls’ sports at the high school state track meet in West Virginia. It’s wrong and unfair. I’m again urging officials to keep separate scores so that the true winners can be awarded once we win in court,” the post reads.

Morrisey went on to say that he will not stop fighting to protect girl’s sports.

Prior coverage:

• Transgender athlete to compete for Bridgeport at state track meet amid pending lawsuit
• Gov. Morrisey asks track and field coaches to allow protests against transgender athletes
• Attorney General Morrisey gives update on fight to defend WV’s Save Women’s Sports Act
• Judge rules to allow transgender athlete to compete in W.Va.
• Trans girl from Bridgeport can run girls track, Supreme Court says
• EXCLUSIVE: Meet one of the girls who protested playing against transgender athlete in Harrison County