A transgender high school athlete recently stirred controversy by winning several women’s track and field events at a regional competition in California. This development has drawn mixed reactions from parents, athletes, and activists. Amid the backlash, officials advised the female runner-up to receive a duplicate gold medal.
AB Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, triumphed in the girls’ long jump, high jump, and triple jump during the California Inter-High Jump Federation Southern Section finals.
The event attracted about 2,000 attendees, many of whom expressed their displeasure regarding Hernandez competing in the women’s division.
In response to the criticism, tournament organizers decided to award a gold medal to a biological female athlete who finished second to Hernandez in the events.
Hernandez achieved a long jump of 20 feet, 4.75 inches (6.21 meters), surpassing Moorpark High School’s Gianna Gonzalez, who managed over 19 feet (5.79 meters).
When it came time for the high jump medals, Hernandez found herself on the podium next to Gwyneth Mureika from Oak Park High School. Interestingly, Mureika, although finishing second, was awarded the gold medal.
That day was the only instance when Hernandez stood alongside a female athlete on the podium. Hernandez cleared 5 feet 8 inches (1.72 meters), while Mureika reached 5 feet 6 inches (1.67 meters).
Another athlete, Reece Hogan, from Crean Lutheran High School, who has openly criticized transgender participation in women’s sports, secured third place in high jump. Observers noted palpable tension between Hogan and Hernandez, though they refrained from interacting.
Hernandez also claimed second place in the triple jump, beating Maria Strange from Shadow Hills High School by nearly two feet. However, when Hernandez celebrated her victory at the medal ceremony, Strange was noticeably absent, leading to speculation that she had deliberately chosen not to participate in the celebrations.
The mother of Hernandez, Nereida, who was present in the stands, opted not to comment on the situation.
Among the audience were the parents of Olivia Viola, who wore matching pink shirts reading “Protect Women’s Sports” as they supported their daughter at the event.
“This is fundamentally about equity for women,” said Olivia’s mother, Tracy Howton. “It’s a straightforward principle that should not be controversial.”
Howton criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom for his remarks regarding transgender athletes, arguing that he has labeled those advocating for female rights as bullies, attempting to silence them.
Olivia’s father, Juan Luis Viola, lamented that his daughter should not need to fight for her rights within the sporting community, questioning where the adult advocates are in this scenario.
Opponents of the event frequently referenced Title IX protections, asserting that the inclusion of biological males in women’s competitions undermines women’s athletics. Title IX is a significant federal law aimed at preventing sex discrimination in educational programs that receive federal funding.
Mary Davis, a 60-year-old spectator, expressed her worries, describing the situation as “a form of neo-misogyny.” She underscored the hard-fought victories associated with Title IX and insisted on not backing down.
Chino Valley Unified School Board President Sonya Shaw, currently campaigning for California superintendent, labeled the competition’s outcomes as “diabolical,” questioning how society had reached a point where biological males dominate women’s athletics.
Shaw accused California’s law, including AB 1266, of directly contravening Title IX, asserting that female athletes are losing opportunities in scholarships, records, and championships.
“I’ve been advocating for six years against this insanity in our schools,” she declared.
California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) introduced a pilot policy last year that permits female athletes finishing behind transgender athletes to advance one spot in standings. This policy aims to allow more female athletes to qualify for championship events alongside transgender participants.
Reportedly, parents attending Saturday’s tournament were informed by coaches that this policy would persist through the postseason.
The issue gained national attention after Hernandez’s performance at last year’s state finals drew criticism from Donald Trump, who commented on California’s policies regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports, calling it unfair to women and girls.
