Levi Gladd has never competed against a transgender athlete, but the University of Oklahoma track runner said the concept is widely discussed on campus.

“Being in college athletics, it’s a pretty talked about topic, just with the swimmer that’s come out,” said Gladd, referring to Lia Thomas, the University of Pennsylvania athlete who recently became the first transgender woman to win an NCAA swimming competition.

“I believe all young women deserve the opportunity to excel at whatever sport they choose to be passionate about and I don’t think it should be taken away from them, especially for biological reasons that they can’t overcome.”

Gladd, along with more than 30 other young women, joined Gov. Kevin Stitt Wednesday morning for a ceremony to sign Senate Bill 2 into law, which bans transgender women from competing on women’s sports teams in college and high school.

“Girls should compete against girls, boys should compete against boys,” Stitt said.