In the world of high school sports, resilience often defines the most memorable athletes—and their families. For Nereyda Hernandez, mother of transgender track star AB Hernandez, that resilience has become a way of life. After her daughter was thrust into the national spotlight when former President Trump targeted her, the Hernandez family has learned to brace for impact. Now, as the postseason heats up, Nereyda is speaking out about staying strong in the face of renewed protests.
This past weekend, a flyer on the Instagram page of California state superintendent candidate Sonja Shaw stirred controversy, claiming a "male athlete" held the top spot for an upcoming high school girls' track meet—and listing event start times for protesters. It was a familiar tactic for the Hernandez family. "In November, we took a trip to New York and Cancun," Nereyda recalled. "We had a blast. But we knew we had to get ready—we had to have that peace, because they were going to do this again."
AB Hernandez, a Jurupa Valley High athlete, has been at the center of a heated national debate about transgender participation in sports. Under current CIF policies, transgender athletes can compete alongside cisgender girls. If they place high enough to advance or medal, the next athlete in line also earns that spot—a compromise meant to foster inclusion. Last year, AB shared the first-place podium with another athlete twice at the state track and field meet. But even that effort wasn't enough to quiet the critics.
Outside a preliminary meet at Yorba Linda High on Saturday, the anti-trans advocacy group Save Girls' Sports organized a protest, accusing California Governor Gavin Newsom of failing to protect fairness in girls' athletics. "Girls across California will continue losing placements, safety, and opportunities that they rightfully earned," said Sophia Lorey, a former Vanguard University soccer player and outreach director for the California Family Council.
For Nereyda, the protests are nothing new. As her daughter prepares for another postseason run, she's determined to push through the noise. "We knew they were going to do this again," she said. "We had to be ready." It's a message that resonates far beyond the track: in sports, as in life, the strongest competitors don't just win races—they rise above the challenges off the field, too.