A transgender high school pitcher in Minnesota was not included in an annual coaches’ poll of All-State selections despite a dominant season that ended with a championship.
The trans athlete, Marissa Rothenberger of Champlin Park High School, was absent from the Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches Association list of 2025 All-State honors.
Rothenberger previously made the list as a first-team All-State selection in Class AAAA in 2024. Rothenberger also won all-tournament honors in 2025.
This year, Rothenberger was left off the list despite a 12-1 record, a 0.74 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP.
Rothenberger’s 0.74 ERA was among the best in the state, and the athlete pitched five straight games in the postseason, giving up just one earned run in 35 innings while striking out 27 batters. Rothenberger also went 5-for-16 at the plate, with two doubles, three RBIs and a run scored in the Rebels’ run to the 2025 AAAA Minnesota softball state championship.
The pitcher’s 2024 season, recognized with first-team All-State honors, did include a better ERA at 0.40.
A Minnesota Fastpitch Coaches Association source told Fox News Digital selections are determined through a vote of member coaches, and an athlete must be nominated by her own coach to be considered.
