CLOVIS, CALIFORNIA - MAY 30: Transgender athlete AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley competes in the girls high jump during the CIF State Track and Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium on May 30, 2025 in Clovis, California. (Photo by Kirby Lee/Getty Images)
Fresno, California – Transgender athlete AB Hernandez claimed two state titles at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Track and Field Championships on Saturday, securing first place in the girls’ high jump and triple jump events. Hernandez, a junior at Jurupa Valley High School, also placed second in the long jump, making her one of the standout performers of the weekend meet.
The championships, held in scorching temperatures that soared past 100 degrees, drew national attention not only for athletic achievements but also for the controversy surrounding Hernandez’s participation. Critics, including some conservative political figures and advocacy groups, have argued against transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports. Still, the atmosphere at the meet remained largely calm, despite visible protests that included T-shirts, bracelets, and even an aircraft flying a banner reading, “No Boys in Girls’ Sports!”
Hernandez competed under a new CIF policy announced just days before the meet, which allowed additional student-athletes to medal in events where transgender athletes are competing. The policy, which the federation described as a way to “uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete,” may be the first of its kind implemented by a high school sports governing body in the United States.
In the high jump, Hernandez cleared 5 feet, 7 inches with no failed attempts, tying for first with Jillene Wetteland and Lelani Laruelle, who also cleared the height but had prior misses. All three shared the gold and stood together on the podium, smiling in a rare show of unity at an otherwise politically charged event.
Hernandez went on to share another first-place finish in the triple jump with Kira Gant Hatcher, edging ahead by just over a half-meter. Earlier in the day, Hernandez finished second in the long jump, trailing champion Loren Webster by only a few inches.
California law permits transgender students to compete in alignment with their gender identity, a stance reaffirmed by the CIF even as the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would review whether the new policy violates federal sex discrimination laws. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump threatened to pull federal funding from the state unless it bars transgender athletes from girls’ sports—a move the CIF said had no impact on its decision.
Supporters of Hernandez criticized the protest efforts as targeting a teenager for simply participating in youth sports. Despite the ongoing national debate, Hernandez’s athletic achievements were undeniable—and for many in attendance, the weekend was ultimately about high school athletes pushing their limits and sharing the podium, regardless of politics.
