CYPRESS, Texas _ Euless Trinity's Mack Beggs is a state champion in a division he doesn't want to be in.
Beggs, a 17-year-old transgender wrestler from Euless Trinity transitioning from female to male, defeated Katy Morton Ranch's Chelsea Sanchez in the girls Class 6A 110-pound girls state championship match Saturday afternoon.
Before the championship round the PA announcer told the crowd not to take part in action that would cause any wrestler to "doubt their accomplishments this weekend." Beggs took part in the parade of all the state finalists, with his hood up and headphones on most of the time.
When Beggs' name was announced as a finalist, a large cheer rose up. It was followed by a small amount of boos. Beggs' win was met by an extended cheer mixed with some boos.
Beggs' family, wearing red shirts that read "Mack Attack" on the front and "2017 state" plus the person's relationship to Mack in the back, yelled support during a blood timeout.
Beggs is transitioning from female to male and wants to wrestle boys according to his grandmother, but UIL rules won't let him.
Beggs also defeated Grand Prairie's Kailyn Clay in the state semifinals Saturday morning, winning via fall 2:52 into the match.
After the pin, Beggs' family stood and cheered from the top deck of the stadium. The display was met by a few boos, but seemed to be less than what occurred during Beggs' quarterfinal match on Friday.
Grand Prairie coach Matiana Wiley declined to comment and said that Clay didn't have permission to talk to the media.
Clay's father didn't have much to say about the matter.
"She's here to wrestle. That's our comment," Clay's father said before briskly walking away.
Beggs has been the subject of controversy and intense media attention all weekend. Coaches, fans, and wrestling parents debated whether Beggs should be allowed to compete after taking testosterone treatments and whether it was fair to the other girls in the competition. Beggs is allowed to compete because he has "a valid medical use" to take the testosterone, which is normally a banned steroid.
The large contingent of media that followed Beggs on Friday was back again on Saturday, documenting every move.
Beggs came out of a far entrance onto the floor before his first match of the day and jogged across mats to wrestle. After the match concluded, Beggs showed a little bit of emotion upon reaching the finals before he and his coach, Travis Clark, hurried away from the media scrum and into a restricted area.
