{"id":319595,"date":"2026-05-17T03:22:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T03:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/319595\/"},"modified":"2026-05-17T03:22:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-17T03:22:13","slug":"trans-hs-track-athlete-sparks-shocking-podium-decision-after-sweeping-california-finals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/319595\/","title":{"rendered":"Trans HS track athlete sparks shocking podium decision after sweeping California finals"},"content":{"rendered":"

A transgender high school athlete dominated multiple girls track and field events<\/a> at a California regional final Saturday, igniting backlash from parents, competitors and activists. Ultimately prompting officials to award duplicate gold medals to female runners-up.<\/p>\n

Jurupa Valley High School senior, AB Hernandez, captured first place in the girls long jump, high jump and triple jump during the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section finals.<\/p>\n

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Some of Hernandez\u2019s female rivals appeared to ice her out during the medal ceremonies, with one competitor skipping the podium altogether and others keeping their distance amid the escalating controversy.<\/p>\n

\"Hernandez<\/p>\n

Hernandez competing on second week at the CIF Track & Field in Moorpark. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post<\/p>\n

The meet drew roughly 2,000 spectators<\/a>, many of whom voiced outrage over Hernandez competing in the girls division.<\/p>\n

In an apparent response to mounting criticism<\/a>, event organizers awarded extra gold medals in events won by Hernandez, giving first-place honors to the biological female athletes who finished directly behind the transgender competitor.<\/p>\n

\"Hernandez<\/p>\n

Hernandez sits on a bench. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post<\/p>\n

Hernandez posted a winning long jump mark of 20 feet, 4.75 inches (6.21 meters), comfortably ahead of Moorpark High School athlete Gianna Gonzalez, who jumped just over 19 feet (5.79 meters).<\/p>\n

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During the high jump medal ceremony, Hernandez stood atop the podium alongside Oak Park High School\u2019s Gwynneth Mureika, who was also handed a gold medal despite finishing second.<\/p>\n

This was the only time on Saturday that Hernandez stood next to a female athlete on the podium.<\/p>\n

Hernandez cleared 5 feet, 8 inches (1.72 meters), while Mureika reached 5 feet, 6 inches (1.67 meters).<\/p>\n

\"the<\/p>\n

the only time on Saturday that Hernandez stood next to a female athlete on the podium. Obtained by the CA Post<\/p>\n

Crean Lutheran High School standout Reese Hogan, a vocal critic of transgender athletes competing in girls sports, finished third in the high jump.<\/p>\n

Observers noted visible tension between Hogan and Hernandez during the competition, though the two did not interact.<\/p>\n

\"Reese<\/p>\n

Reese Hogan. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post<\/p>\n

Hernandez, wearing pink-soled Nike spikes and sparkles woven into twin braids, also claimed second place in the triple jump, beating Shadow Hills High School athlete Malia Strange by nearly two feet.<\/p>\n

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But when Hernandez stepped onto the top podium spot for the triple jump medal ceremony, Strange, who was expected to stand alongside Hernandez after receiving a matching gold medal under the CIF\u2019s pilot policy, did not appear, raising speculation that the third-place finisher intentionally snubbed the celebration.<\/p>\n

\"Track<\/p>\n

Track & Field in Moorpark. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post<\/p>\n

The athlete\u2019s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, 44, sat in the bleachers alongside a female companion and declined to comment to The Post.<\/p>\n

Among the crowd were the parents of 17-year-old athlete Olivia Viola, both wearing pink shirts reading \u201cProtect Girls Sports\u201d as they supported their daughter at the meet.<\/p>\n

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\u201cShe thinks it\u2019s a fundamental issue of fairness for women,\u201d Olivia\u2019s mother, Tracy Howton, 55, told The Post. <\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s fighting for the rights of female athletes. It\u2019s a very simple principle. That\u2019s what she\u2019s standing strong on. It shouldn\u2019t be that controversial.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Howton also blasted California Gov. Gavin Newsom over comments related to transgender athletes in girls sports.<\/p>\n

\"Hernandez<\/p>\n

Hernandez looks on. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s tried to peg any female who\u2019s trying to stand up for women as bullies,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s a way for him to try to shut them down.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s easier for him if the girls don\u2019t speak up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Olivia\u2019s father, Juan Luis Viola, accused state leaders and CIF officials of failing to defend female athletes.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe shouldn\u2019t be the one fighting for this,\u201d he told The Post. \u201cWhere are the adults fighting for the kids?\u201d<\/p>\n

Critics at the event repeatedly invoked Title IX protections, arguing girls athletics are being undermined by allowing biological males to compete in female divisions.<\/p>\n

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Title IX is a landmark federal law that bans sex discrimination in any American school or educational program that receives federal funding.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The long jump. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post<\/p>\n

Spectator Mary Davis, 60, called the situation \u201ca form of neo-misogyny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m here to support the girls,\u201d Davis told The Post. \u201cWe fought hard for Title IX. We are not going backwards. I\u2019m not going to have some boy shove girls off a podium. There\u2019s real harm being done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chino Valley Unified School Board President Sonja Shaw, who is running for California State Superintendent, condemned the competition outcome as \u201cdiabolical.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow did we get to a point in society that allows biological male once again swept podium spots in girls\u2019 track events, robbing our daughters of hard-earned victories right in front of us,\u201d Shaw told The Post.<\/p>\n

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\u201cCalifornia cannot let this agenda continue to hurt our girls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Shaw blamed California laws including AB 1266 for what she described as a direct violation of Title IX, arguing female athletes are losing \u201cPodiums. Records. Scholarships. Championships. Privacy. Safety. Fairness.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Hernandez<\/p>\n

Hernandez and the competition. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post<\/p>\n

\u201cFor six years, I have fought this insanity in our schools, and I\u2019m done watching California sacrifice girls to appease activists, failed legislators and teachers unions,\u201d she told The Post.<\/p>\n

The CIF introduced a pilot policy during last year\u2019s state finals allowing female athletes who finish behind a transgender competitor to move up one placement in official standings.<\/p>\n

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The program also allows additional female athletes to qualify for championship events when a transgender athlete secures a qualifying spot.<\/p>\n

\"Athletes<\/p>\n

Athletes sprint down a runway, launch off a designated take-off board, and leap as far as they can into a sand pit. Rafael Fontoura for CA Post<\/p>\n

According to the parent of a competitor at Saturday\u2019s meet, coaches informed families that the policy would continue throughout the remainder of the postseason.<\/p>\n

The issue gained national attention after Hernandez qualified for the state finals last year, drawing criticism from President Donald Trump in a Truth Social post targeting California\u2019s policies on transgender athletes in girls sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cTHIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,\u201d Trump wrote.<\/p>\n