Transgender Athlete Triumphs at California Girls’ Track Meet

During a California girls’ track meet, a transgender athlete made headlines by dominating several events, spurring protests from those who believe only biological females should compete in girls’ sports.

AB Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley, showcased remarkable performances at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries, hosted at Yorba Linda High School, where Hernandez excelled in all three jumping events against female competitors.

Hernandez’s standout performance was in the triple jump, achieving a distance of 42 feet, 4 inches, significantly ahead of the closest rivals who managed 39 feet, 7 1/2 inches and 37 feet, 8 inches, respectively.

In the long jump event, Hernandez leaped 20 feet, 4 1/4 inches, surpassing the second-place finisher, who jumped 19 feet, 1 1/2 inches. The third-place athlete reached 18 feet, 7 inches.

Hernandez also shared the top spot in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches, tying with Reese Hogan.

The impressive results have reignited debates, with critics expressing concern that biological males might have physical advantages that could affect fairness in girls’ sports.

Outside the venue, demonstrators gathered before the meet for a “Save Girls’ Sports” rally led by former NCAA athlete Sophia Lorey.

One protester angrily accused California Gov. Gavin Newsom of abandoning female athletes, shouting that “girls are being threatened.”

For many in attendance, the outcome felt familiar.

“It happened last year and I thought it’d be done, but it’s California,” one grandparent attending to support Moorpark High School told Outkick.

Hernandez has already become a central figure in the escalating national fight over transgender participation in girls’ sports.

The athlete previously competed in girls’ volleyball and has repeatedly drawn scrutiny after winning girls’ track events.

Saturday’s meet marked another high-profile showdown with Hogan, who previously made headlines after stepping onto the top podium spot following an event won by Hernandez, a gesture applauded by advocates pushing to reserve women’s sports for biological females.

The controversy surrounding California’s policies has moved far beyond high school athletics.

The US Department of Justice is suing California over its transgender athlete rules, while the US Department of Education has expanded investigations into multiple California schools and athletic organizations over potential Title IX violations tied to trans athletes competing in women’s sports.

That federal investigation now includes the California Community College Athletic Association, which oversees 108 athletic programs statewide.

“Women’s sports are for women,” Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey said. “The Trump administration will not tolerate policies that erase women’s rights.”

Tennis icon Martina Navratilova backed Olympic gold medalists Nancy Hogshead and Kaillie Humphries after they criticized California’s handling of the issue.

“Right on Nancy!!! We are just built different!!!” Navratilova wrote on X.

She later added: “Newsom could overturn this in a second. No excuse.”