A controversial transgender high school track star has once again dominated competition in three events at a meet in California on Saturday. AB Hernandez, who was born male, won the girls' high jump, long jump, and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation's (CIF) Southern Section Track and Field Masters meet held at Moorpark High School in Ventura County.
Co-Champion Rule Sparks Debate
As a result of Hernandez's victories, female athletes who were comprehensively beaten were forced to share the top spot on the podium with Hernandez once again. Each event featured two 'co-champions,' including Hernandez, a rule introduced last year to seemingly appease the defeated young girls. Results show that Hernandez dominated all three competitions as she progressed further into the state competition.
In the high jump, Hernandez's mark was 5 feet 8 inches, two inches clear of second place. In the long jump, Hernandez leaped over a foot farther than the nearest rival with a winning mark of 20 feet, 4.75 inches. Finally, in the triple jump, Hernandez's attempt of 41 feet, 7.25 inches was over two feet farther than the nearest female competitor.
Background of the Pilot Program
Last year, the CIF authorities implemented a 'pilot program' amid much fury, awarding any female athlete who finished behind a transgender rival the chance to share the top step of the podium as a joint winner. It has been reported that the same circumstances will remain in place for the remainder of the postseason.
After dominating another competition last week, Hernandez's mother, Nereyda, shared a post condemning the new rule. Originally posted by charity Rainbow Families Action, it showed a picture of a letter from the CIF giving the green light to the rule change. 'All these big, tough ex-athletes at CIF, and the most courage they could muster was to hand this to coaches at AB's meet today,' the campaign group commented. 'Not one of them was brave enough to look her or her mother in the eye and say: "This whole project of violating Ed Code is aimed at you. A child."'
In a separate post about the event itself, Nereyda added: 'Today at the CIF Track & Field Finals, my heart was full watching AB compete. No matter how differently she may be seen by some, she continues to walk onto that field with the most beautiful smile on her face, gives EVERY event her ALL, and carries herself with grace, determination, and sportsmanship.'
Opposition from Rivals
Earlier this month, one of Hernandez's biggest rivals, Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School, threatened to protest against the transgender athlete if she were on the podium too. Hogan went viral 12 months ago with a similar protest, finishing behind Hernandez but taking her place on the top step of the podium. When asked if she would take a stand again this year, Hogan told Fox News Digital: 'If the opportunity presents itself, we'll see, yeah.'
However, last week Hogan finished third in the high jump, sixth in the triple jump, and did not make the finals of the long jump. 'This is my third year competing against a transgender athlete, and last year I was stripped of a CIF Title. I basically worked my whole career to get to that point,' Hogan said. 'It's just really disappointing to go into a competition knowing you already lost. I'm here to stand up for girls in girls' sports and to call out CIF and the state of California for their poor leadership and lack of support for female athletes.'
