A transgender student from California recently clinched the women’s triple jump title at the Winter Championships on Saturday, coinciding with a federal investigation by the Trump administration into the state’s policies regarding transgender athletes in sports.
AB Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County, achieved a jump of 39 feet, 10 inches at the VS California Winter Championships, securing second place with another jump measuring 39 feet, 3.25 inches.
Hernandez also earned a second-place finish in the long jump event.
When approached for comments, VS Athletics, the sporting goods retailer involved, chose not to respond.
“I face a lot of negativity, but honestly, it doesn’t bother me. I’m just a 16-year-old girl with a strong mindset. Do you really think your words can sway me?” Hernandez remarked in an interview, reflecting on the backlash she has received for her participation against female athletes.
Coming out as transgender in the eighth grade, Hernandez shared with local media that she’s experienced threats and online harassment.
The discourse around transgender athletes gained traction last year after Hernandez jumped over 40 feet at the Ontario Relays Invitational in February, sparking debates surrounding their participation in women’s sports.
Throughout the season, local community members have protested her involvement in women-only events, holding signs with messages like “Protect women’s sports” and “Two Xs, no exceptions.”
Hernandez noted that the support from her peers helps drown out the negative responses.
“My teammates made my experience fantastic, and I’ll always appreciate them for that. I realize not everyone has a supportive circle, so I feel really lucky,” Hernandez expressed.
As Hernandez continues to make headlines, the Trump administration is heightening its scrutiny of transgender athletes in California.
The U.S. Department of Education has added the California Community College Athletic Association to an ongoing investigation regarding transgender athlete policies, which also includes Jurupa Valley High School, among other institutions.
“Women’s sports belong to women,” stated Kimberly Ritchie, the department’s assistant secretary for civil rights. “The Trump administration will not accept rules that undermine women’s rights.”
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing a case concerning state-level bans on transgender athletes competing in girls’ and women’s sports, though it remains unclear if the court will challenge policies in places like California that allow participation based on gender identity.
In California, the law permits students to engage in sports in accordance with their gender identity instead of their sex assigned at birth.
