Yorba Linda, California
California’s postseason track and field meet on Saturday kicked off with a “Save Girls Sports” rally outside the venue, ending in a somewhat expected way—one athlete in the jumping event walked off the field, highlighting ongoing concerns about fairness in women’s sports.
The CIF Southern Division 3 qualifying round in Yorba Linda attracted attention even before it started, as demonstrators protested the state’s policy that permits transgender athletes to compete in women’s events.
Once indoors, the action focused on the jumping competitions, where AB Hernandez, a biological male from Jurupa Valley, participated and excelled, winning first place in all three events.
Rally Breaks Out at Track Meet Amid Transgender Debate
Hernandez, a trans athlete who previously competed in women’s volleyball, achieved a significant lead, winning the long jump and triple jump by wide margins. He tied for first in the high jump with Reece Hogan, an athlete he knew from before.
The results of the long jump stood out: Hernandez measured 20 feet, 4 1/4 inches, while the next closest competitors landed at 19 feet 1 1/2 inches and 18 feet 7 inches. The gap was quite noticeable—over a foot apart.
In the triple jump, the disparity continued, with Hernandez at 42 feet, 4 inches, while the runners-up finished at 39 feet, 7 1/2 inches and 37 feet, 8 inches.
The atmosphere during the meet reflected heightened interest in the topic, especially among attendees at Yorba Linda High School, the host of the qualifying round.
One grandparent who attended to support Moorpark High School observed how close this issue felt. “We thought it was done because it was last year, but this is California,” they said with a shrug.
A father from Yucca Valley shared his broad agreement with the worries surrounding trans athletes, stating, “I think we should have our own department. I don’t like bullying one kid.”
He mentioned how Hernandez surpassed Hogan in the high jump. Both cleared 5 feet, 2 inches, ending in a tie. Hogan had previously made headlines for claiming the top podium spot after a tournament won by Hernandez—a move backed by women’s sports advocacy groups.
This time, both athletes found themselves tied at the top again.
Outside the venue, previous rallies, led by former NCAA athlete Sophia Lowry, emphasized the importance of fairness in women’s sports. There’s been plenty of debate in the individual sports sphere, where competitive balance remains a hot topic.
Hernandez’s accomplishments were difficult to overlook. He tied in the long jump at 20 feet, 4 1/4 inches, in the triple jump at 42 feet, 4 inches, and also tied in the high jump at 5 feet, 2 inches.
Competing under rules that California has upheld for over a decade, Hernandez’s performance feeds into an escalating conflict related to Title IX, with the Department of Justice now suing California over its policies concerning transgender athletes.
In response, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office emphasized a separation from the lawsuit, defending the existing law while clarifying that he did not target any individuals.
The qualifying round in Yorba Linda added more fuel to the ongoing discourse about excluding biological males from women’s events. The protests set the tone early, and as the day progressed, the discussions shifted from outside to the results displayed on the board, which had tangible implications.
