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
Startling new satellite pictures show secret activity at Iranian nuclear site that the US bombed to pieces

Recent satellite images reveal hidden operations at an Iranian nuclear facility destroyed by US airstrikes

New satellite photos have revealed that Iran is trying to piece together its…
‘Smoke’s Jaw-Dropping Episode 2 Twist Explained: Is [SPOILER] An Arsonist?

Unraveling the Shocking Twist in Episode 2 of Smoke: Could [SPOILER] Be Responsible for Arson?

After Episode 2 of the thrilling series Smoke ends, viewers are left…
Ella Emhoff says it was traumatic to vote in NYC mayoral primary after stepmom Kamala's election loss

Ella Emhoff expresses that voting in NYC mayoral primary was difficult after stepmother Kamala’s election defeat.

Voting in the New York City Democrat mayoral primary was described by…
Chicago-area ICE arrests challenged in court as 'unlawful,' Department of Justice contends enforcement follows US law

Chicago-area ICE arrests are being questioned in court for being “unlawful,” while the Department of Justice states that the enforcement is in accordance with US law

CHICAGO (WLS) — The ABC7 I-Team got a closer look at what…
Ex-wife of alleged Gilgo Beach killer still defends him, but daughter says he ‘most likely’ did it

Former wife of suspected Gilgo Beach murderer maintains his innocence while their daughter believes he is likely guilty

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Asa Ellerup is grappling…
A fatal mistake that led to bloody murder of a young mother: How wannabe influencer tracked down his wife who was in hiding... before slaughtering her in the street

Tragic Consequences: How a Wannabe Influencer Tragically Found His Wife and Fatally Harmed Her

A man aspiring to be an influencer brutally killed his wife while…
‘Doctor Odyssey’ Canceled By ABC After 1 Season

ABC Cancels ‘Doctor Odyssey’ After One Season

The ship has sailed for Doctor Odyssey fans hoping to see a…
‘Murderbot’ Episode 8 Recap: Digital Love

Recap of Episode 8 of ‘Murderbot’: A Tale of Love in the Digital World

I need to apologize to Murderbot. I was not familiar with its…
Bride Lauren Sanchez Bezos reveals wedding secrets from her very apt 'something blue' to why she changed her gown design as she gushes 'I am the luckiest woman on the planet! after marrying Jeff Bezos

Newlywed Lauren Sanchez Bezos shares wedding details, from her meaningful ‘something blue’ to the alterations in her dress design, expressing immense gratitude for her marriage to Jeff Bezos by saying, “I feel incredibly fortunate.”

The bride, Lauren Sanchez, recounted how Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos was taken…
Several Chicago-area beaches along Lake Michigan, inland closed, under advisory due to high E. coli levels, health officials say

“Health Advisory Issued for Chicago-Area Beaches on Lake Michigan due to Elevated E. coli Levels”

COOK COUNTY (WLS) — Several public beaches in the Chicago area are…
Notorious Iranian prison boss flees minutes before Israeli airstrikes after secret warning

Iranian Prison Chief Escapes Just Before Israeli Airstrikes Following Covert Alert

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! EXCLUSIVE – The notorious…
Hiker’s wilderness adventure ends in tragedy at popular park destination

Unfortunate outcome for hiker in well-liked park location

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! An Illinois man died…