Respect is often earned by standing firm in one’s beliefs, even at personal cost. Brendan Johnston, a high school wrestler from Colorado, exemplified this in 2018 when he forfeited two state tournament matches rather than compete against female opponents, citing his Christian faith and personal values.
Johnston, then a senior at the Classical Academy, chose not to wrestle Jaslynn Gallegos and later Angel Rios, stating that the physical closeness of the sport made him uncomfortable and conflicted with how he was raised to treat women. He clarified that his decision wasn’t about inequality but about respecting the differences between men and women.
As a result, Johnston finished sixth, while Gallegos and Rios placed fourth and fifth. Gallegos expressed disappointment but said she respected his choice, adding, “I’m just a wrestler trying to prove a point.”