In a California girls' track meet that has reignited a fierce national debate, transgender athlete AB Hernandez dominated multiple jumping events at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries on Saturday, while protesters outside the venue demanded a return to sex-segregated competition.
Competing at Yorba Linda High School, Hernandez—a senior from Jurupa Valley—swept the field in the triple jump, long jump, and high jump, delivering performances that left opponents trailing by significant margins. In the triple jump, Hernandez recorded 42 feet, 4 inches, outpacing the nearest competitors who finished at 39 feet, 7 1/2 inches and 37 feet, 8 inches—a gap of nearly three feet that underscores the physical advantages critics say undermine fairness in girls' athletics.
The long jump told a similar story: Hernandez leaped 20 feet, 4 1/4 inches, more than a foot ahead of the second-place mark of 19 feet, 1 1/2 inches, with third place reaching 18 feet, 7 inches. In the high jump, Hernandez tied for first after clearing 5 feet, 2 inches alongside Reese Hogan, a competitor who has become a familiar face in this ongoing controversy.
Outside the venue, demonstrators gathered before the meet for a "Save Girls' Sports" rally led by former NCAA athlete Sophia Lorey. One protester angrily accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of abandoning female athletes, shouting that "girls are being threatened." A grandparent attending to support Moorpark High School told Outkick, "It happened last year and I thought it'd be done, but it's California."
This latest showdown comes as no surprise to those following the story. Hernandez—who previously competed in girls' volleyball—has become a central figure in the escalating national fight over transgender participation in sports. Saturday's meet marked another high-profile encounter with Hogan, who previously made headlines after stepping onto the top podium spot following an event won by Hernandez—a gesture applauded by advocates pushing to reserve women's sports for biological females.
As the debate continues to divide athletes, parents, and policymakers alike, one thing is clear: this issue isn't going away anytime soon. Whether you're a competitor, a coach, or a fan, staying informed and engaged is key to understanding the evolving landscape of youth athletics.