The End of a High School Career
Transgender athlete AB Hernandez wrapped up a remarkable high school sports journey on Saturday night at the California State Track and Field Championships, where they secured two titles and shared a podium with female competitors.
Hernandez triumphed in the women’s high jump and triple jump, and finished third in the long jump. Last year, Hernandez clinched state championships in both the triple jump and high jump, while also taking second in the long jump.
Once again, Hernandez shared podium appearances with the female athletes who finished right behind them. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) used the same pilot program from the previous year, allowing awards for the girls who placed closely to Hernandez.
During the women’s high jump awards ceremony, Hernandez’s final podium appearance, multiple female athletes shared podium space, leaving one side completely empty. This situation stirred conversations in the weeks leading to the finals, particularly due to a recent CIF policy change that gained attention.
This policy faced criticism from advocates for women’s sports and supporters of Hernandez, including Hernandez’s mother, especially after its reintroduction during the CIF Southern Finals just weeks prior. The podium images of Hernandez, alongside female competitors, sparked a significant debate about transgender athletes in women’s sports that began during Hernandez’s high school years.
As Hernandez’s career reached a peak during championship weekend, they appeared in a video with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer before the CIF Championship Qualifier. In contrast, Republican candidate Steve Hilton held a rally that day to advocate for women’s sports protections.
On Saturday, the situation escalated outside the CIF championship venue, where police were called to a press conference by local LGBTQ advocacy groups. Tensions flared as Hernandez supporters clashed verbally with activists from Save Girls Sports.
During the press conference, Hernandez’s mother and several LGBTQ activists voiced their support for the athlete. A heated exchange ensued when Save Girls Sports activists arrived, prompting police to monitor the situation, though no direct interventions were made. Eventually, the argument settled down without further incident.
Later that evening, Hernandez claimed two state titles, bouncing back to win the high jump and triple jump after a loss in the long jump. Competing simultaneously in both events, Hernandez distinguished themselves as one of the few who managed to participate in two disciplines effectively.
Though Hernandez’s high school tenure is now complete, the debate around the participation of biological males in women’s sports is still very much alive in California. The Jurupa Unified School District, where Hernandez attended, is currently under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education due to a lawsuit against the state’s policies that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s events.
With the California gubernatorial primary approaching, the issue of transgender athletes has emerged as a pivotal campaign topic, as Hilton aims to secure his place in the general election later this year.
