AB Hernandez Advances in CIF State Championships Amid Controversy

Transgender athlete AB Hernandez progressed in three women’s jumping events, securing two victories at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state track and field championships on Friday.

Hernandez has been a focal point in the ongoing national debate regarding transgender athletes participating in women’s sports since last May. This weekend, Hernandez is set to compete for state titles in the women’s long jump, high jump, and triple jump.

The events coincided with a “Save Women’s Sports” rally nearby, where California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton addressed attendees, joined by local activists and an Olympic gold medalist advocating for women’s sports. Earlier that day, Hernandez participated in a video alongside Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer.

In the girls’ long jump, Hernandez, representing Jurupa Valley High School, achieved the top position with a jump of 20 feet, 5.5 inches, followed by St. Ignatius’ Ellie McCaskey-Hay, who reached 19 feet, 11.25 inches.

As the evening progressed at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Clovis, Hernandez found themselves competing in both high jump and triple jump simultaneously, as the schedule had shifted unexpectedly. Nevertheless, Hernandez qualified for the finals in both events.

In the triple jump, Hernandez dominated with a distance of 41 feet, 8.5 inches, while St. Ignatius’ Zyla Coleman secured second place at 40 feet, 3.25 inches.

However, in the high jump, Hernandez placed tied for fourth, marking the first time in this postseason where they didn’t finish first across the three events they’re competing in.

The narrative surrounding AB Hernandez grew as they appeared in a video with Steyer, expressing feelings of being “outed” and “vexed.” Hernandez mentioned the frequent exposure they faced at school, emphasizing the need for enhanced security measures. Steyer added that protection is vital for everyone.

This rally, emphasizing the “Save Girls Sports” campaign, was bolstered by contributions from former NCAA women’s soccer player Sophia Lowry, California State Superintendent candidate Sonya Shaw, and Olympic gold medalist Stephanie Brown. Lowry reinforced the message that opportunities for female athletes were being overshadowed by the presence of transgender athletes.

Shaw urged Californians to take a stand on the issue, stating that history will remember those who voiced their concerns. Towards the rally’s conclusion, Hilton directly criticized Governor Gavin Newsom, claiming that despite rhetoric around compassion and fairness, very little was being done to address these concerns.

This year, once again, the California women’s track and field postseason has been engulfed in political discussions surrounding Hernandez’s participation. The CIF reinstated a pilot program that elevated female athletes finishing behind Hernandez, which will continue through this weekend’s finals.

On Saturday evening, Hernandez will aim to reclaim top honors alongside the second-place finishers in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump.