In the world of high school sports, most young athletes dream of making it to the top of the podium. But for Brendan Johnston, a high school senior from Colorado, the final moments of his wrestling career looked a little different—and made headlines for an entirely different reason.
Back in 2018, Johnston chose to forfeit two state tournament matches rather than compete against female wrestlers. His decision, guided by his personal beliefs and values, sparked both conversation and respect.
Brendan, who attended The Classical Academy in Colorado Springs, was scheduled to wrestle Jaslynn Gallegos of Skyview High in the opening round of the tournament. Later, he was matched up with Angel Rios from Valley High in a consolation round. Instead of competing, Brendan respectfully declined both matches.
Speaking to local outlet KDVR at the time, Brendan explained:
“Wrestling is such a physical sport. It’s very close contact, and I didn’t think that was appropriate with a young lady. It’s also very aggressive, and I didn’t feel entirely comfortable with that.”
He emphasized that his decision wasn’t about questioning anyone’s abilities.
“This was never about thinking less of my opponents. I believe women and men are equally valuable—but they’re also different. That difference matters to me, especially in a sport that’s so physical.”
Brendan’s choices, rooted in both his Christian faith and upbringing, ultimately cost him a chance at a higher placement in the tournament. He finished sixth, while Jaslynn and Angel placed fifth and fourth, respectively.
For her part, Jaslynn expressed mixed emotions. In an interview with The Washington Post, she shared:
“I’ve always seen myself as just a wrestler, not a girl wrestler. So while I understand his decision, part of me wishes gender didn’t play a role at all in these situations.”
She added that wrestling has always been about proving herself—and that moments like these serve as reminders of how far the sport has come and how far it still has to go.
Brendan’s story continues to be revisited as a thoughtful example of the choices young athletes sometimes face—where sportsmanship, personal values, and competitive drive all intersect.
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