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<p>Maggie Mertens is a freelance journalist in Seattle, and the author of <a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/better-faster-farther-how-running-changed-everything-we-know-about-women-maggie-mertens/20674936?ean=9781643753355" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://bookshop.org/p/books/better-faster-farther-how-running-changed-everything-we-know-about-women-maggie-mertens/20674936?ean%3D9781643753355&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1754022936515000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1qsnDemLKZppvFS2kpVCTH">BETTER FASTER FARTHER: How Running Changed Everything We Know About Women</a>. She also sometimes writes and sends the newsletters <a href="https://maggiemertens.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://maggiemertens.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1754022936515000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0lAUeT18_qV95dy9jg9Sg0">My So-Called Feminist Life</a> and <a href="https://gilmorewomen.substack.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://gilmorewomen.substack.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1754022936515000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1hLBDLFWCAWpJsqvPzljRr">Gilmore Women</a>.</p>
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Maggie Mertens

High School Sports

Minnesota Softball Has A Title IX Problem


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


Diana Moskovitz

U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) (L) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) (R) speak about an alleged screenshot from the Instagram of USA Fencing board director Damien Lehfeldt during the hearing on “Unfair Play: Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports" held by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Subcommittee at the U.S. Capitol on May 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. Green is holding a photo that makes it look like Lehfeldt is pointing at himself with his middle finger. Stansbury is holding up a larger capture of the same photo that shows him making a peace sign with the same hand.

Politics

The DOGE Fencing Hearing Was Stupid And Pointless Even By Congressional Standards

A photo of Florida Gators basketball coach Todd Golden speaking to reporters at a press conference during the Final Four. Golden is sitting at a table with a nameplate.

College Basketball

Florida Built A Black Box And Put The Todd Golden Case Inside It

The front of a U.S. Department of Education building.

Title IX Is Now A Weapon In The Trump Administration’s Culture War

A photo of three women's basketball players. They all stand with their backs to the camera. On the back of their shirts are the 37 words that make up Title IX, the law that gave women equal access to school sports

Women’s Sports Happened By Accident, And Could Be Taken Apart On Purpose

Florida coach Todd Golden standing in front of a basketball hoop.

Two Florida Hoops Coaches Are The Subject Of University Investigations; Both Are Still Coaching [Updated]

A screenshot of a text message exchange between Art Briles and Ian McCaw, as shown on a PowerPoint presentation. It says: "September 20, 2013 text messages between Art Briles and Ian McCawn." Briles: "Just talked to [Sa78]—he said Waco PD was there—said they were going to keep it quiet—Wasn't a set up deal—I'll get shill to ck on sibley." McCaw: "That would be great if they keep it quiet!"

College Football

The Just-Revealed Conversations Between Art Briles And Baylor Staff Are Exactly What You’d Expect

Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the first half against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. He's wearing a green jacket and a headset.

Mel Tucker Officially Fired From Michigan State

Patrick Redford

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans looks on prior to a game against the Richmond Spiders at Spartan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

Mel Tucker Isn’t Going Quietly

Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans looks on in the fourth quarter of a game agains the Richmond Spiders at Spartan Stadium on September 09, 2023 in East Lansing, Michigan.

Michigan State Has Begun The Process Of Firing Mel Tucker

A general view of Spartan Stadium during the game between Notre Dame and Michigan State Spartans on September 23, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. The stadium is packed.

13 Years After Lizzy Seeberg, Going Up Against College Football Remains A Fraught Idea

Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State

Michigan State Suspends Football Coach After Sexual Harassment Investigation Goes Public

Kelsey McKinney

a baylor bears football helmet sits on some grass

Baylor Cop Told Football Player She Wanted Sexual Assault Investigation “Taken Care Of Quietly For The Football Team Members”

Another Baylor Sexual Assault Trial Begins Today

A photo of F. King Alexander sitting in an office with books behind him. He's wearing a suit and tie. He has a befuddled look on his face.

Death To The NCAA

Ex-LSU President Resigns His Job At Oregon State Due To LSU Scandal

Former head coach Les Miles of the Kansas Jayhawks watches from the sidelines during the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Lawrence, Kansas.

The Problem Was That Les Miles Stopped Winning

Then-LSU head football coach Les Miles looks on during the game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on September 24, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama.

The Growing LSU Scandal Now Includes Les Miles

The LSU Scandal Reminds Us How College Football Really Works

Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) listens to a question at a Town Hall meeting on Super Tuesday Primary night on March 3, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan.

Title IX