A transgender track and field athlete once again showcased impressive performances at the California Masters, resulting in officials giving a second gold medal to the runner-up.
AB Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, dominated the girls’ high jump, long jump, and triple jump at the CIF Southern District Track and Field Masters Tournament held on Saturday at Moorpark High School in Ventura County.
In each event, Hernandez stood proudly on the winner’s podium alongside the female athlete who finished second.
This situation follows significant backlash regarding Hernandez’s repeated successes. It’s been a point of contention for many, as the athlete, being biologically male, continues to outperform female competitors.
On Saturday, Hernandez achieved the highest score in the women’s triple jump. Their winning jump was distinctively superior to those of competitors. For instance, in the high jump, Hernandez cleared 5 feet, 8 inches, while the second-place athlete reached 5 feet, 6 inches.
The long jump comparison shows a similar trend. Hernandez leaped 20 feet, 4.75 inches, contrasting with the 19 feet, 1.75 inches of the runner-up. In the triple jump, the winner’s distance was marked at 41 feet, 7.25 inches, against the second-place finish of 39 feet, 4 inches.
The CIF had previously maintained a pilot entry process, first instituted at last year’s championships, which allows biological female athletes to advance despite not securing the top position, leading to considerable debate.
In a notable decision, organizers decided to award Hernandez an additional gold medal for the victories and recognized the biological female runner-up as well. This policy now includes guaranteeing medals for biological female athletes who finish behind transgender competitors.
The controversy surrounding Hernandez’s prominence in this competition reflects a deeper, ongoing debate within California high school sports. Critics argue that the state’s approach to transgender inclusion conflicts with Title IX protections for female athletes.
The CIF has been approached for further insights on the matter.
