The competition on 9/5 at Yorba Linda High School in Orange, California, became a focal point for debate on transgender athletes in women's sports.

Hernandez, a senior from Jurupa Valley High School, secured a gold medal in the triple jump with a distance of about 12,9 m, significantly outperforming the runner-up in the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Division 3 qualifiers. Hernandez also won the long jump, achieving 6,2 m, over 30 cm further than the next competitor.

Hernandez then tied for first place in the high jump, clearing about 1,57 m, alongside Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School.

Hogan had previously placed second to Hernandez at a CIF competition in 2025. A photo of Hogan on the first-place podium after that award ceremony went viral, becoming a symbol of opposition to transgender athletes in school women's sports.

AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School, at a competition in California in 2025. Photo: AP.

At last weekend's competition, the advocacy group Save Girls Sports protested outside the venue, criticizing Governor Gavin Newsom for "abandoning female students."

Sophia Lorey, a former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) soccer player and current Communications Director for Save Girls Sports, stated that allowing transgender athletes in women's events causes female students to lose opportunities for achievement and athletic scholarships.

Lorey cited California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) regulations, which allow students to compete based on gender identity. She stated that "female students across the state will continue to lose rankings, safety, and opportunities they deserve."

Lorey also rejected accusations that Save Girls Sports bullies transgender students, asserting her organization is only "protecting fairness for female athletes."

Five female students protest transgender athletes participating in women's events. Photo: X / SophiaSLorey.

However, a smaller group gathered near the venue to counter this viewpoint and defend transgender students' right to participate in sports. This group noted that CIF adjusted its regulations last year, ensuring female athletes affected by transgender athletes' results still receive corresponding medals and rankings.

A counter-protester argued that the idea of transgender athletes "stealing scholarships" is no longer relevant. This is because the NCAA has complied with President Donald Trump's executive order restricting organizations from allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports. "They are currently not allowed to compete at the collegiate level, so they cannot take anyone's scholarship," the individual stated. "For many transgender students, the opportunity to compete and experience teamwork largely ends after high school."

Earlier, Governor Newsom's office criticized the protests as "politically motivated" and pledged to stand with bullied students.

Athletes and their families held a press conference, condemning harassment against transgender athletes during the CIF qualifiers in Yorba Linda.

The debate over transgender athletes in California school sports has persisted for years. Last July, the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state's educational agencies, alleging violations of Title IX. This federal law prohibits sex discrimination in education, specifically ensuring equal opportunities for female students in academics and sports. The U.S. Department of Education later expanded investigations into 17 other California educational organizations.

Meanwhile, the California state government continues to defend its 2013 regulation. This rule allows students to participate in sports activities consistent with their gender identity, defined as the gender a person identifies as male, female, or different from their biological sex at birth.

By Hong Duy (Source: Daily Mail)