AB Hernandez takes home gold in high jump and triple jump amid new policy and national spotlight
CLOVIS, Calif. — A trans athlete claimed two first-place finishes Saturday at the California high school track and field championship, a meet that has drawn national attention and stirred controversy.
AB Hernandez won gold in the girls high jump and triple jump under a new policy from California’s high school sports governing body, which allowed more girls to medal in events Hernandez entered. The rule change may be the first of its kind in the U.S.
Hernandez shares high jump title, dominates triple jump
In the high jump, Hernandez cleared 5 feet, 7 inches (1.7 meters) without a single miss. Co-winners Jillene Wetteland and Lelani Laruelle also cleared the same height but had earlier failed attempts. All three shared the top podium spot and smiled during the ceremony.
Later in the day, Hernandez topped the triple jump standings, narrowly beating Kira Gant Hatcher by just over a half-meter. Earlier, Hernandez had placed second in the long jump behind Loren Webster, who cleared more than 21 feet (6.40 meters). Olympians Marion Jones and Tara Davis-Woodhall previously set long jump records at over 22 feet in past championships.
Rule change draws criticism, support amid wider debate
The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) announced the new policy earlier in the week, allowing one additional student to medal in events Hernandez competed in. The move aimed to strike a balance in the broader debate about trans athletes in girls’ 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.
Still, the change drew backlash from critics, including some parents, conservative activists, and President Donald Trump. Protesters wore pink shirts reading “Save Girls’ Sports,” and on Friday, a plane flew over the meet with a banner that read: “No Boys in Girls’ Sports!” Two advocacy groups opposed to trans inclusion in girls’ sports claimed responsibility.
National scrutiny intensifies
California law allows transgender students to compete based on their gender identity. However, the U.S. Department of Justice said it would investigate whether the policy violates federal sex discrimination law. Trump also threatened to pull federal funding unless the state bars trans athletes from competing on girls’ teams.
The CIF said its policy expands access for “biological female” athletes, though it did not define the term or explain how eligibility would be verified. Some critics argued that the rule is discriminatory for adding spots for some athletes but not others.
Sophia Lorey of the California Family Council said the new rule only causes more confusion: “It shows the girls that we know this is wrong and we’re still letting it happen to you.”
Hernandez responds to critics
Hernandez told Capital & Main she’s unfazed by the controversy. “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.
Records fall at California’s largest track championship
California’s championship is among the largest in the country, with the second-highest number of high school participants nationwide, behind Texas.
The meet saw multiple record-breaking performances, including relay and hurdle events, and the boy’s pole vault. One standout was Jaden Jefferson of De La Salle High School, who clocked 10.01 seconds in the boys’ 100-meter heats, beating the previous record by 0.19 seconds. However, his final time of 10.27 seconds on Saturday didn’t meet the record threshold.
