YORBA LINDA, Calif. — A transgender athlete delivered standout performances in multiple jumping events at a California high school track meet on Saturday, sparking renewed protests from critics who argue that biological males should not compete in girls' sports.
The event, part of the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries held at Yorba Linda High School, saw AB Hernandez, a senior from Jurupa Valley High School, dominate the field in the triple jump, long jump, and high jump against female competitors. In the triple jump, Hernandez achieved a distance of 42 feet, 4 inches, surpassing the second-place finisher's mark of 39 feet, 7½ inches and third place's 37 feet, 8 inches. The long jump result was equally impressive, with Hernandez recording 20 feet, 4¼ inches, more than a foot ahead of the runner-up's 19 feet, 1½ inches and third place's 18 feet, 7 inches. Hernandez also tied for first in the high jump, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches alongside Reese Hogan from Moorpark High School.
These victories immediately drew attention from onlookers and reignited debates over transgender participation in women's athletics. Outside the venue, a group of demonstrators gathered for a “Save Girls’ Sports” rally organized by Sophia Lorey, a former NCAA athlete. One protester, voicing frustration toward California Governor Gavin Newsom, shouted that “girls are being threatened” and accused the governor of abandoning female athletes. The rally underscored ongoing concerns among some parents, coaches, and activists that biological males retain physical advantages even after transitioning, potentially undermining fairness in girls' competitions.
For attendees supporting other schools, the results evoked a sense of déjà vu. One grandparent there to cheer on Moorpark High School athletes told Outkick, “It happened last year and I thought it’d be done, but it’s California.” This sentiment reflects the persistent nature of the controversy in the state, where policies allow transgender students to compete in sports aligning with their gender identity, as long as they meet certain eligibility criteria set by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).
Hernandez, who identifies as female and uses she/her pronouns, has become a focal point in this national discussion. The athlete previously competed on Jurupa Valley's girls' volleyball team and has won several track events in the girls' division, drawing scrutiny from opponents of such inclusions. Saturday's meet featured another notable interaction with Hogan, who has previously gained attention for her stance on the issue. After one of Hernandez's earlier victories, Hogan stepped onto the top podium spot in a show of solidarity with advocates for reserving women's sports categories for biological females—a gesture that was applauded by some but criticized by others as unsportsmanlike.
The CIF, which governs high school sports in Southern California, maintains that its transgender inclusion policy complies with state law and promotes equity. According to CIF guidelines, transgender athletes must provide documentation from a physician confirming their gender identity and may need to undergo hormone therapy for a specified period before competing. However, critics contend that these measures do not fully address inherent physiological differences, such as greater muscle mass or bone density developed during male puberty.
Beyond the local track, the controversy has escalated to federal levels. The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against California over its transgender athlete policies, alleging they violate Title IX, the federal law prohibiting sex-based discrimination in education programs. Separately, the U.S. Department of Education has broadened its investigations into potential Title IX violations related to transgender participation in women's sports, now encompassing multiple California schools and athletic organizations. This includes the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA), which oversees 108 athletic programs across the state's community colleges.
Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey emphasized the administration's position in a statement, saying, “Women’s sports are for women.” She added, “The Trump administration will not tolerate policies that erase women’s rights.” These probes come amid a broader push under the current federal leadership to scrutinize state-level accommodations for transgender athletes, with similar investigations underway in other states.
The issue has also garnered support from prominent figures in sports. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova voiced her agreement with Olympic gold medalists Nancy Hogshead and Kaillie Humphries, who have publicly criticized California's approach. On X, formerly known as Twitter, Navratilova wrote, “Right on Nancy!!! We are just built different!!!” In a follow-up post, she targeted Newsom directly: “Newsom could overturn this in a second. No excuse.” Hogshead, a swimming champion and founder of Champions for Equality, has argued that allowing biological males in women's sports disadvantages female athletes and erodes opportunities hard-won through decades of advocacy.
Proponents of transgender inclusion, including civil rights groups like the ACLU, counter that excluding trans athletes discriminates based on gender identity and violates anti-discrimination laws. They point to studies suggesting that after sufficient hormone therapy, many physiological advantages diminish, though research in this area remains limited and contested. In California, state law enacted in 2013 explicitly protects transgender students' rights to participate in school activities consistent with their gender identity, a policy upheld against legal challenges.
Hernandez's performances this weekend build on a pattern of success that has fueled both admiration from supporters and backlash from detractors. Last year, the athlete similarly excelled in track events, prompting similar rallies and media coverage. Jurupa Valley High School officials have not commented publicly on the matter, but the school's athletic director previously stated that all competitors follow CIF rules. Meanwhile, Hogan, who tied with Hernandez in the high jump, has become a symbol for those advocating stricter divisions in sports, with her podium protest last year amplifying calls for policy changes.
The Yorba Linda meet is one of several qualifiers leading to the CIF Southern Section finals later this month, where Hernandez could face stiffer competition. If qualified, the athlete's participation in state championships would likely draw even larger crowds and media attention, continuing to spotlight California's role as a battleground in the transgender sports debate.
Nationally, the issue has divided lawmakers, with over 20 states enacting bans on transgender girls competing in girls' sports since 2020, often citing fairness and safety. California remains a holdout, supported by Democratic leadership but facing Republican-led federal opposition. Governor Newsom's office has defended the state's policies, stating they balance inclusion with competitive integrity, though no specific response to Saturday's events was immediately available.
As investigations proceed, the Department of Education's review of the CCCAA could have ripple effects on college-level sports in California. The association, which includes sports like track and field, has allowed transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity since 2019. Critics, including some college coaches, worry that federal intervention could disrupt programs and scholarships for all student-athletes.
For now, the focus remains on high school fields like Yorba Linda's, where young athletes navigate not just competition but a charged cultural landscape. Hernandez's coach at Jurupa Valley praised the team's preparation but declined to address the broader controversy. As the season advances, the outcomes of these meets will continue to inform the evolving conversation on equity in sports.
The protests at Yorba Linda echo similar demonstrations at other California events, signaling that the debate shows no signs of abating. With federal lawsuits pending and public figures weighing in, California's approach to transgender athletes in girls' sports remains a flashpoint, testing the boundaries of inclusion, fairness, and federalism in American education.