Minnesota’s high school softball season will be under a national spotlight for the second year in a row, and a hotter one than in 2025.

As the U.S. Department of Justice has launched a Title IX lawsuit against the state’s education agencies for letting biological male trans athletes play in girls’ sports, Champlin Park High School is set to be a political target.

The high school rosters a trans pitcher on its softball team, who emerged as a dominant force en route to a state championship last year.

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Transgender pitcher Marissa Rothenberger. (Amber Harding)

Now, that pitcher is playing for Champlin Park again this year while President Donald Trump’s administration tries to crack down.

The Anoka-Hennepin School District, which oversees Champlin Park, is standing by the athlete amid the renewed national scrutiny.

“The Champlin Park Softball team will compete in compliance with Minnesota State High School League rules and applicable Minnesota law this upcoming season. All participating student-athletes will meet the criteria for eligibility which aim to elevate standards of sportsmanship and encourage the growth of responsible citizenship for all involved. Because the school district is named in an active lawsuit involving last season, the District is limited in what additional information can be shared on this matter,” the district said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

A girls’ softball player, who is anonymously part of a lawsuit with Alliance Defending Freedom that challenges the state laws on trans athletes, shared her thoughts on the distracting political dynamic of this season with Fox News Digital.

“I just want a fair and competitive season. My hope for this season is that the focus stays on the game, while also making sure girls’ sports remain a place where female athletes have equal opportunities to compete and succeed,” she said.

Meanwhile, another anonymous plaintiff in that lawsuit shared gratitude for the DOJ’s intervention.

“Thank you, President Trump! I’m so grateful for the support towards girls in sports in Minnesota,” she said.

The lawsuit was originally struck down by a federal judge, but ADF has filed an appeal in appellate court and is awaiting a decision there.

CHAMPLIN PARK WINS MINNESOTA SOFTBALL STATE TITLE BEHIND TRANS PITCHER’S COMPLETE GAME SHUTOUT

Former Minnesota high school and current NCAA softball player Kendall Kotzmacher lost a 3-2 heartbreaker to Champlin Park last season, in what was her final high school game.

But Kozmacher’s younger sister, who lost with her in that game, is still set to play this season, and could be on a collision course with the trans pitcher again.

“My little sister, she played with me last year. She’s still playing, so it’s really hard,” Kotzmacher said. “I’m lucky enough that it’s not allowed at the NCAA level. But there’s all of these girls that I do not want them to ever have to go through the situations that I did, and I do not want my sister to have to deal with what I had to do and what she had to deal with last year again.”

Minnesota has faced its own internal conflict over the issue dating back to early 2025, when Democratic lawmakers in the state legislature struck down a bill that would have prevented biological males from competing in girls’ sports.

State Republicans renewed that effort in recent weeks amid the DOJ crackdown, but were once again unsuccessful due to Democrat control, as they failed to push a bill forward on the House Floor Tuesday.

“Protecting girls is not hate,” said state representative Krista Knudsen. “When biological males enter girls’ sports, girls lose. They lose medals, they lose roster spots, they lose college scholarships and they lose their safety.”

Democrat state representative Kelly Moller dismissed concerns over the issue.

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“My colleagues across the aisle say that you are bringing this to protect women and girls and that couldn’t be further from the truth. The real threat to women and girls is sexual assault and gender-based violence,” Moller said.

Meanwhile, 326 school board members in 125 school districts in the state signed a letter pleading with the state’s leadership to comply with Trump’s mandate to protect girls’ sports.

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The Minnesota Vikings booted two starting defensive tackles from their roster this offseason, and that’s usually something a franchise does before drafting a rookie replacement. So when Clemson’s Peter Woods found his way back into the Vikings’ mock-draft orbit this week, well, it made sense.

Minnesota still needs interior defensive line help, and Peter Woods keeps surfacing as a logical first-round fit.

Pete Prisco did the honors, giving Minnesota a rest from the nonstop Dillon Thieneman mock-draft takes.

Woods Checks Some Boxes for Minnesota at a DT Need

Yes, the Vikings need a defensive tackle.

Pete Prisco: Peter Woods to Min at 18

Two weeks remaining before the 2026 NFL Draft, and if Prisco has it right, Woods will be a Viking. He wrote this week in a just-published mock draft, “The interior of their defensive line needs a boost after they let go of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Woods was dominant in 2024, but his play tailed off some last year. The talent is there.”

Most mock drafts expect Minnesota to pick a safety in Round 1, either the aforementioned Thieneman from Oregon or Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren.

Some others believe Minnesota could select a cornerback like Avieon Terrell (Clemson) or Jermod McCoy (Tennessee).

The Bio for Woods

Woods is 6’2″ and 300 pounds. He runs a 4.75 forty — pretty fantastic for a defensive tackle — and is known for his first-step explosion and flexibility. His swipe move is also impressive, and on the whole, he’s a freak athlete for DT standards. Woods banked 5 sacks in the last two seasons at Clemson.

The Athletic‘s Dane Brugler on Woods: “Woods flashes the ability to win with quickness, strength and hand usage — and the next step in his development is for him to do so more consistently. He offers scheme diversity, although he projects best as a three-/4i-technique DT.”

“A two-and-a-half-year starter at Clemson, Woods shuffled up and down the line in defensive coordinator Tom Allen’s four-man front. After earning Freshman All-American honors in 2023, he received All-ACC honors in each of the last two seasons.”

Woods is also young; he just turned 21.

Brugler added, “He was tabbed as a potential top-five draft pick entering his junior season, but he struggled to match that hype in 2025, posting up-and-down tape and poor production (14 pressures, 3.5 tackles for loss and two sacks over 12 games). Draft projections for Woods will depend on a team’s willingness to grade to his flashes.”

“He moves with big-man twitch and has the foot quickness to elude blocks in tight quarters. However, for a player with his explosive traits, he doesn’t have many quick wins on his tape and needs to learn how to diversify his rush approach.”

Vikings’ DT Setup for 2026

It’s not breaking news, but it’s unfinished business: the Vikings need a defensive tackle. The franchise parted ways with two starters last month, cutting Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, a pair that played over 1,300 snaps in Brian Flores’s 2025 defense.

Without Woods, a different rookie, or a free agent like Christian Wilkins or D.J. Reader, Minnesota would roll into 2026 with this interior defensive line group:

• Jalen Redmond
• Levi Drake Rodriguez
• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins
• Elijah Williams
• Taki Taimani
• Jaylon Hutchings

That might work; it might not. The DT unit is one Redmond injury away from disaster. Therefore, an extra defensive tackle is probably on the way.

Other Draft DT Options

It’s a safe bet to assume the Vikings leave the draft with a defensive tackle; it’s just unclear if Woods will be the guy. If not, these are the DT options before the end of Round 4, according to the Consensus Big Board in early April:

• Kayden McDonald (Ohio State)
• Caleb Banks (Florida)
• Lee Hunter (Texas Tech)
• Christen Miller (Georgia)
• Domonique Orange (Iowa State)
• Gracen Halton (Oklahoma)
• Darrell Jackson Jr. (Florida State)
• Kaleb Proctor (Southeastern Louisiana)
• Chris McClellan (Missouri)
• Dontay Corleone (Cincinnati)
• Xzavian Harris (Mississippi)
• Rayshaun Benny (Michigan)
• Zane Durant (Penn State)

Vikings fans have taken a shine to Hunter from Texas Tech because he should be available at Minnesota’s 49th pick, and he’s huge at over 330 pounds, known for stopping the run as a true-blue nose tackle.

Brugler noted on Hunter: “Hunter doesn’t have the pass-rush skill set to consistently impact the quarterback, but he is instinctive as a run defender and has heavy hands to make stops at the line of scrimmage. He projects as a scheme-diverse, two-gapping nose.”

The Vikings have drafted three players from Clemson in the last decade: safety Jayron Kearse, cornerback Mackensie Alexander, and cornerback Andrew Booth. So, too, did elite DT Dexter Lawrence, a trade candidate, go to Clemson. Maybe a Woods/Lawrence twosome materializes at some point.

Neeraj Chopra (PTI Photo)

BENGALURU: As the Athletics Federation of India on Wednesday reiterated its stand that athletes should mandatorily obtain its approval before entering into an agreement with a third party and that the decision is to protect the athletes, legal experts slammed the federation’s move as “unconstitutional and arbitrary.”“This is akin to mandatorily seeking a blanket prior approval, which is wholly unconstitutional and arbitrary besides being an unreasonable and unlawful restraint on athletes’ commercial freedom as also his/her trade or profession. It thus seems to be violative of Article 19(1)(g) (Freedom of Trade or Profession) of the Constitution of India,” sports lawyer Rahul Mehra told TOI.“Instead, AFI could have issued advisory guidelines in order to protect the athletes from entering into conflicting or harmful contracts, but to have such a mandatory prior approval is reflective of seeking absolute control over athletes’ commercial right and interest,” he added.Critics pointed out that the AFI move could also be aimed at protecting their sponsors. “The new circular seems to have been triggered by long-distance runner Gulveer Singh moving out of Reliance (one of AFI’s sponsors) to OGQ to JSW within three months. AFI can support their sponsor but that should not be done by troubling the athletes who are getting individual sponsors,” another legal expert said.Experts also wondered why the AFI should trouble India’s top athletes like Neeraj Chopra, asking them to get approval for getting a sponsorship deal. “The value of athletics in India is because of Chopra. It’s an attempt to exert some form of control. There is no chance (that it will stand scrutiny in court) as it’s a restraint of trade,” an expert told TOI.“In 2007, after India lost in the World Cup, the BCCI wanted to control the number of endorsements of the players. A few years back, the NRAI (the national shooting federation) wanted to do the same thing and failed. The AFI’s move is more like a public statement to assert control. It’s completely not enforceable legally and practically, and none of these athletes are in any form of contract with the AFI. This move will be like a new basis to knock off someone. Earlier, they said if you don’t attend national camp they will drop you. Likewise, if you don’t report your endorsements we can drop you,” he explained.Meanwhile, the AFI said the whole idea is to help the athletes. “This considered decision has come in the wake of some sponsors drawing AFI’s attention. We would like the athletes to focus on their training and competition rather than get caught up in signing contracts,” AFI said in a post on X.“At AFI, we are mindful of athletes’ welfare and do not want to come in the way of their making money through endorsement deals. However, we will protect the interests of the athletes and Indian athletics. AFI believes that athletes affect (sic) such changes without understanding the implications of terminating the contracts they have signed with sponsors,” the federation’s post added.“While asking for prior approval of contracts and agreements, AFI is ensuring that its legal team is on hand to advise the athletes against potential pitfalls. AFI makes it clear that, in providing such services to the athletes, it does not charge a penny from either the athletes or the sponsors,” the AFI said.

The Diamond League athletics meeting in Doha has been postponed for six weeks and will now take place on June 19 due to the war in the Middle East, organisers announced Wednesday. The United States and Iran agreed on Tuesday a two-week ceasefire to the war that has killed thousands and hammered the global economy. The Diamond League organisers had previously said the opening leg of this year’s series would go ahead as planned on May 8, but have now decided to delay the event.

“In the interests of athlete and spectator safety, a decision has now been taken to postpone the meeting. Should conditions allow, it will now be held on June 19,” they said in a statement.

The competition will also be moved from the Qatar Sports Club to the Khalifa International Stadium in case of higher temperatures.

The Khalifa stadium, which is temperature controlled, hosted the world athletics championships in 2019 and matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The Diamond League is the elite one-day meeting series in track and field, a season that features 15 meets in 13 different countries across four different continents.

The first Diamond League meeting will instead be in Shanghai on May 16.

Several major sporting events in the Middle East have been postponed or cancelled because of the war the United States and Israel launched on Iran, including the Formula One grands prix in Bahrain and Jeddah, in Saudi Arabia.

Both were scheduled for mid-April and have been cancelled. 

In football, the Finalissima, which was to pit European champions Spain against Copa America winners Argentina on March 27 in Qatar, was  called off. 

The Qatar motorcycling Grand Prix, initially scheduled for the weekend of April 12, has been postponed to November 8, while a gymnastics World Cup event scheduled to take place in Doha in April was also cancelled.

However, a horse racing meeting in Dubai, carrying prize money of $30.5 million and featuring the Dubai World Cup, did go ahead on March 28.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Former Super Eagles head coach Johannes Bonfrere has raised concerns about the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for two consecutive FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Nigeria missed out on the 2022 World Cup after losing to Ghana on the away goals rule, while their hopes for the 2026 edition ended in a penalty defeat to DR Congo. The absence from both tournaments has dealt a blow to the country’s football reputation on the global stage.

Bonfrere, who guided Nigeria to Olympic gold in 1996, said the situation is unacceptable and called on the football authorities to take urgent action. He stressed that preparations for future tournaments must begin immediately to avoid another disappointment.

According to the Dutch coach, missing the 2026 World Cup is damaging not only for Nigeria but also for African football. He urged the federation to review what went wrong and ensure proper planning ahead of future competitions, starting with the next Africa Cup of Nations.

He noted that Nigeria has many talented players competing in top European leagues and warned that it would be a major setback if such a generation fails to appear at multiple World Cups.

Bonfrere also reminded stakeholders of Nigeria’s rich football history, describing the country as a leading force in Africa that should always be present on the world stage. He pointed out that Nigerian teams have traditionally brought excitement, colour, and strong fan support to global tournaments.

Reflecting on past successes, he recalled how Nigeria attracted global attention at previous World Cups and the Olympic Games, with fans eager to watch the team play. He expressed concern that the absence of the Super Eagles is now being noticed worldwide.

The veteran coach concluded by urging the federation to put its house in order, insisting that there is still enough time to rebuild and prepare properly for the 2030 and 2034 World Cups. He added that decisive action now will be key to restoring Nigeria’s place among football’s top nations.

WWE is on the Road to WrestleMania, and the company recently hosted another major premium live event. Meanwhile, NXT General Manager Robert Stone sent a message to a female star following the recent edition of NXT when demands were made on X.

Last year, Mariah May signed with the Stamford-based promotion and joined the developmental brand. May, now known as Blake Monroe, was one of the names to leave All Elite Wrestling and join WWE under the new regime. Before the end of the year, she captured the NXT Women’s North American Championship and lost it in December accidentally to Thea Hail.

After losing the title, Blake Monroe feuded with Jaida Parker and returned to the division for the title she wasn’t planned to drop in the first place. On the recent edition of WWE NXT, Monroe and The Vanity Project’s Jackson Drake defeated Tatum Paxley and Shiloh Hill in a mixed tag team match. The 27-year-old WWE star pinned the current NXT Women’s North American Champion for the win.

Later, she uploaded a picture on X with a custom title and claimed in character that she’s now a two-time NXT Women’s North American Champion and demanded her side plates from the NXT General Manager. Robert Stone sent a message to Monroe and claimed she’s not a champion, stating it wasn’t a title match, which Monroe and Drake won on the show.

“YOU’RE NOT A CHAMPION,” Stone tweeted on X.

Monroe might’ve earned a title match against the champion, but the mixed tag team match was a non-title bout.

Blake Monroe lost at WWE Stand & Deliver 2026

Earlier this year, Izzi Dame won the NXT Women’s North American Championship from Thea Hail while she was in a feud with Tatum Paxley. Last year, Dame and The Culling turned on Paxley and cost her the NXT Women’s Championship against Jacy Jayne. The 29-year-old WWE star vowed to get revenge on her former on-screen family.

After Dame became the new champion, the title was inserted into her ongoing feud with Tatum Paxley. Later, Paxley won the title at NXT Vengeance Day and defended it against the former champion in a Steel Cage match and won. Later, she entered a feud with Blake Monroe, who stole the title in the weeks leading up to their match at Stand & Deliver.

The biggest event of the developmental brand took place in Missouri, and Tatum Paxley defeated Blake Monroe in a title match. After the match, Monroe took an assist from The Vanity Project and pinned the champion in a mixed tag team match. It’ll be interesting to see what’s next for both stars in the coming weeks.