A transgender athlete dominated a California master’s track meet on Saturday, prompting officials to award an additional gold medal to the runner-up. This move came after AB Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, triumphed in the girl’s high jump, long jump, and triple jump events at the California Interscholastic Federation’s (CIF) Southern Section Track and Field Masters meet, held at Moorpark High School in Ventura County.
Hernandez’s performance in these events was remarkable, consistently outpacing fellow competitors. In the girl’s high jump, Hernandez achieved a mark of 5 feet, 8 inches, surpassing the second-place finisher, who cleared 5 feet, 6 inches. Similarly, in the long jump, Hernandez secured victory with a leap of 20 feet, 4.75 inches, while the runner-up managed 19 feet, 1.75 inches.
Despite Hernandez’s commanding performances, the decision to present dual gold medals reflects ongoing discussions in sports about fairness and inclusivity, particularly in competitions involving transgender athletes. Throughout each event, Hernandez shared the winner’s podium with the athlete finishing second, underscoring the competitive spirit and camaraderie inherent in sports.
In all three categories, Hernandez’s score far exceeded her competitors.
In the girl’s high jump, Hernandez’s mark was 5 feet, 8 inches while the second-place hit 5 feet, 6 inches.
The difference in the long jump competition was similar, with the trans athlete posting a winning mark of 20 feet, 4.75 inches, while the female runner-up landed a jump of 19 feet, 1.75 inches.
In the triple jump, Hernandez posted a winning distance of 41 feet, 7.25 inches — compared 39 feet, 4 inches for the second-place finisher.
The CIF previously announced it would continue the pilot entry process first introduced during last year’s championships, saying that biological female competitors would be allowed to advance to the next round without winning the event amid tremendous criticism.
The policy also guarantees medal placements for biological female athletes who would have otherwise finished behind a transgender competitor.
The decision comes amid major backlash against officials over Hernandez’s dominance.
The issue has become one of the most explosive debates in California high school sports, with critics arguing the state’s transgender participation policies conflict with protections for female athletes under Title IX.
The Post has reached out to the CIF for further comment.
