California Athlete Receives Support After Controversial Competition

A high school track athlete from California, Lee Se Hogan, garnered attention on social media this past weekend. She briefly took the number one spot on the podium and captured photos following her performance, despite finishing behind a transgender athlete in the triple jump event.

Hogan, who competes for Crean Lutheran High School, achieved personal and school records with a jump of 37 feet, 2 inches during the CIF Southern Section Finals, specifically in Division 3.

The transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School outperformed Hogan, achieving a distance over four feet greater. This athlete also won in the long jump category.

Following the ceremony, Hogan, awarded a medal, smiled as she celebrated her achievement. A video of this moment circulated online, with viewers praising her and calling her a “real champion.”

Hogan, 16, shared that the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) officials had instructed competitors to remove “Protecting Girls Sports” t-shirts prior to the event at the CIF Southern Section Prelims. She expressed discomfort, indicating that there was an unspoken threat of disqualification for those who did not comply.

“It wasn’t explicitly stated, but there was this sense that if I didn’t take off my shirt, I could be in trouble,” Hogan explained. “The atmosphere felt a bit more intense, and I sensed an increase in their hostility. While no one directly mentioned disqualification, their tone and the way they spoke gave that impression.”

Since the qualifying disputes arose, the Trump administration has reached out to California’s government, led by Gavin Newsom, regarding these matters.

The state’s position aligns with President Trump’s directive to prevent transgender women from competing in female sports. The CIF is currently looking into Title IX implications related to this issue.