Transgender athlete wins 2 girls events at California track and field finals

CLOVIS, Calif. — The California high school track and field championship witnessed a transgender athlete seizing victory on Saturday in the girls high jump and the triple jump events, amidst controversy and nationwide attention.

AB Hernandez competed under a new rule change that may be the first of its kind nationally by a high school sports governing body.

In the high jump, Hernandez triumphed with a height of 5 feet, 7 inches, clearing the bar without any unsuccessful attempts. Jillene Wetteland and Lelani Laruelle, also successful at the same height, joined Hernandez as co-winners in a heartwarming moment on the winner’s podium.

Hernandez’s success continued in the triple jump, where she secured another first-place finish, sharing the glory with Kira Gant Hatcher, who closely followed just half a meter behind. Earlier in the day, Hernandez had secured second place in the long jump event.

Olympians Marion Jones and Tara Davis-Woodhall previously set state championship records in the long jump in 1993 and 2017, respectively, both surpassing 22 feet. This year’s winner, Loren Webster, topped 21 feet, with Hernandez trailing by a few inches.

The California Interscholastic Federation announced the new policy earlier this week in response to Hernandez’s success heading into the championships. Under the policy, the federation allowed an additional student to compete and medal in the events where Hernandez qualified.

The two-day championship kicked off Friday in sweltering heat at a high school near Fresno. Temperatures reached the triple digits during Saturday’s finals.

The atmosphere was relatively quiet despite critics – including parents, conservative activists and President Donald Trump – calling for Hernandez to be barred from competing. Some critics wore pink bracelets and T-shirts that read, “Save Girls’ Sports.”

During Friday’s qualifying events, an aircraft circled above the stadium for more than an hour with a banner: “No Boys in Girls’ Sports!” Two groups that oppose transgender athletes participating in women’s sports – the Independent Council on Women’s Sports and Women Are Real – took credit for flying the banner.

California at center of national debate

The federation’s rule change reflected efforts to find a middle ground in the debate over trans girls’ participation in youth sports.

“The CIF values all of our student-athletes and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law,” the group said in a statement after announcing its rule change.

A recent AP-NORC poll found that about 7 in 10 U.S. adults think transgender female athletes should not be allowed to participate in girls and women’s sports at the high school, college or professional level. That view was shared by about 9 in 10 Republicans and roughly half of Democrats.

The federation announced the change after Trump threatened to pull federal funding from California unless it bars trans female athletes from competing on girls teams. The federation said it decided on the change before then.

READ MORE: Threatening to withhold funding for California, Trump cites case of transgender athlete at IE school

President Donald Trump threatened to pull federal funding in California if the state did not bar trans students from participating in girls sports.

The U.S. Department of Justice also said it would investigate the federation and the district that includes Hernandez’s high school to determine whether they violated federal sex discrimination law.

California law allows trans students to compete on sex-segregated sports teams consistent with their gender identity.

The federation said the rule opens the field to more “biological female” athletes. One expert said the change may itself be discriminatory because it creates an extra spot for “biological female” athletes but not for other trans athletes.

The federation did not specify how it defines “biological female” or how it would verify whether a competitor meets that definition.

Sophia Lorey, outreach director with California Family Council, was among those at the stadium Saturday. She said the federation’s policy is not a fix for the issue and only ends up causing more confusion.

“At the end of the day,” Lorey said, “it shows the girls that we know this is wrong and we’re still letting it happen to you.”

Hernandez told the publication Capital & Main this month that she cannot worry about critics.

“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” she said.

Other students break records

California’s championship stands out from that of other states because of the sheer number of competitors. The state had the second-largest number of students participating in outdoor track and field in the nation during the 2023-2024 school year, behind Texas, according to a survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The boys 100-meter heats also were a highlight, with junior Jaden Jefferson of De La Salle High School in Concord finishing in 10.01 seconds Friday, 0.19 seconds faster than a meet record set in 2023. But he fell just shy of making it count as a meet record with a final time of 10.27 seconds in Saturday’s final.

Athletes set new meet records in several events, including boys and girls relay races, hurdle competitions and the boys pole vault.

RELATED:
Central Valley lawmakers call for removal of transgender athlete from upcoming CIF girls finals
DOJ investigating whether CA violated federal law by allowing transgender athletes in girls’ sports

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

You May Also Like
Crosetti Brand, accused in Edgewater, Chicago stabbing death of Jayden Perkins, takes stand as own witness, attorney

Crosetti Brand, the defendant in the Edgewater, Chicago stabbing death trial of Jayden Perkins, testifies as a witness alongside their attorney

CHICAGO (WLS) — During his trial for the murder of an 11-year-old…
Fmr. Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan hopes connections with White Sox owner, Fr. Pfleger, Edgar Jones can help sentencing

Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan seeks support from White Sox owner, Fr. Pfleger, and Edgar Jones for sentencing assistance.

CHICAGO (WLS) — Former Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan, who has been…
NJ special education teacher flies high with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds

New Jersey teacher excels with U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds in special education role

NEW HANOVER, New Jersey — Special education teacher Miss Ellie Hyland took…
Now There's This: Texas Trump Burger Triumphs Bigly

Introducing the Texas Trump Burger: A Huge Success

Themed restaurants have been around for a long time, catering to a…
Trump's new head of FEMA makes startling revelation as Hurricane season approaches

Startling Revelation from Trump’s New Head of FEMA as Hurricane Season Approaches

According to four sources familiar with the matter, the new head of…
Essex Files: Tulsa’s Race Massacre Fund Is Misguided - Let’s Fix What’s Broken Now

Fixing the Issue: Rethinking the Approach to Tulsa’s Race Massacre Fund in Essex Files

Tulsa’s new mayor, Monroe Nichols, aims to establish a $100 million trust…
Is Benito Skinner’s Prime Video Comedy ‘Overcompensating’ Based on a True Story?

Did Benito Skinner create the Prime Video comedy ‘Overcompensating’ based on a true story?

Streamers are captivated by Benito Skinner’s latest comedy series, Overcompensating, now streaming…
Musk takes hammer to Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' as he makes dire DOGE prediction after White House exit

Elon Musk Criticizes Trump’s Infrastructure Bill and Gives Gloomy Dogecoin Prediction following White House Departure

Elon Musk mentioned that the savings from the Department of Government Efficiency…
Boulder attack updates: Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman booked on charges after 'act of terror' with 'makeshift flamethrower'

Suspect Mohamed Sabry Soliman Arrested on Charges Following Boulder Attack Involving ‘Makeshift Flamethrower’

BOULDER, Colo. — According to court documents, the individual accused of committing…
Former DC teacher arrested, charged with soliciting child pornography: DOJ

DC Teacher Arrested and Charged with Soliciting Child Pornography, According to DOJ

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! A former schoolteacher from…
Shocking moment tourist jumps into Terracotta Army clay warriors and damages statues before being overpowered by security guards

Tourist jumps into Terracotta Army, damages statues, and is stopped by security guards – a shocking incident

A visitor in China has caused anger by entering a part of…
Six illegal migrants charged in South Carolina mother's murder defy 'decency' in 'civilized society': sheriff

“Details of SC mom’s murder revealed in chilling messages from six charged migrants: ‘Only the start'”

Charged in relation to the senseless murder of a South Carolina mother…