In a notable achievement at the Portland Interscholastic League Varsity Relays in Oregon, Lia Rose of Ida B. Wells High School claimed first place in the girls varsity high jump competition on Wednesday, clearing a height of 4 feet, 8 inches.
Rose’s winning jump outpaced the second-place finisher by two inches in the competitive field. According to records from athletic.net, this marks a personal best for the athlete in official competition.
The victory comes as part of Rose’s athletic journey, which has seen various transitions over recent seasons. Athletic records indicate that in 2023, Rose competed in the boys’ category under the name Zachary, and continued in that division into early 2024, where they achieved a personal record of 5 feet and reached as high as second place in JV competition.
This season, however, athletic listings show Rose competing in the girls category, where Wednesday’s performance secured the top spot at the PIL meet.
When asked about the athlete’s competitive history, a representative from Portland Public Schools cited the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, stating they were unable to confirm or deny details about student records “to protect student privacy.”
Rose’s victory occurs in the context of ongoing discussions about athletic participation in Oregon schools. Just two weeks ago, another Portland area track athlete, Ada Gallagher, won first place in both the 200-meter and 400-meter events with season-best times of 25.76 and 57.62 seconds respectively.
The Portland Interscholastic League continues its spring season with several more meets scheduled in the coming weeks, as student-athletes throughout the district compete for championship opportunities.
