High School Athlete Competes in Women’s Events

A male high school athlete secured first place in two out of three events during a recent competition in California. The catch? All three events were designated for female competitors.

Over the weekend, AB Hernandez from Yulpa Valley High School participated in high jumps, triple jumps, and long jumps alongside female athletes at a meet in Ventura County.

“This keeps happening if people don’t stand up and speak out. I encourage all female athletes facing this to make their voices heard,” noted a concerned spectator.

Hernandez took first place in the women’s triple jump with a mark of 41 feet 4 inches at the CIF-Southern Section Finals held at Moorpark High School. This jump was over four feet longer than the second-place jumper, Reese Hogan from Clean Lutheran High School.

In a video captured after the event, Hogan was seen posing on the podium, greeted by enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. She achieved both personal and school records with a leap of 37 feet 2 inches.

Additionally, Hernandez won the long jump for girls and finished seventh in the high jump at this same event.

Ranked number one in the state for the women’s triple jump, Hernandez aims to clinch the state title on May 31. Recently, he has also competed at the Women’s Division 3 level.

Former NCAA swimmer Paula Scanlan remarked that Hernandez’s win exemplifies how opportunities are taken away from women. Her experience at the University of Pennsylvania, where she was a teammate of transgender athlete Leah Thomas, led her to oppose the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports.

“Most Americans support us, but many sports leagues seem uninterested in safeguarding girls’ sports,” Scanlan commented. “This issue persists when athletes remain silent. I implore all female athletes in similar situations to use their voices.”

Hernandez has faced backlash from community members who protested at a recent track event. About 30 individuals gathered on the sidelines, with one protester shouting, “It’s a biological boy!”

When asked if the protests bothered him, Hernandez replied, “Honestly, no. I’m just a kid, and adults behaving like that… I can’t control others’ actions. It’s best to focus on yourself.”

Sonja Shaw, the president of the Chino Valley Unified School District Committee, engaged in a heated discussion with Hernandez’s mother, calling the competition “unfair” and labeling Hernandez’s participation as cowardly.

Despite the criticisms, Hernandez pointed out that he lost some competitions against female athletes, arguing that his performance demonstrates he doesn’t possess an unfair physical advantage.

“I think this understanding of claims against me is flawed,” he stated, addressing his detractors. “Now, it’s clear that I’m also able to lose.”

Hernandez’s situation has sparked significant debate about the intersection of gender and sports, raising questions about fairness, inclusion, and competition.