In a remarkable display of determination, 16-year-old AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley High School secured multiple gold medals at the California high school track and field championships, despite facing intense pressure to withdraw from the competition. Competing against a backdrop of political controversy and protests, Hernandez won state titles in the girls’ triple jump and girls’ high jump, and finished second in the girls’ long jump. Her achievements at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships in Clovis came on a scorching day, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees.
Hernandez's participation in the event drew sharp criticism from former President Donald Trump, who had previously called for local authorities to prevent her from competing. Trump alleged on social media that Hernandez had won "everything" in a prior meet and labeled her "practically unbeatable." This sparked protests outside the championship venue, with demonstrators voicing their opposition to Hernandez's inclusion and the LGBTQ+-friendly policies that permitted her participation.
Amid the uproar, Hernandez remained composed and focused during her events. When her name was announced for the long jump, she greeted the crowd with a wave, and she smiled when she was introduced for the high jump. Despite the tense atmosphere, Hernandez excelled, winning the triple jump while the runner-up was also awarded 1st place under new rules introduced by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) in response to the ongoing controversies.
After the competition, Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, expressed immense pride in her daughter’s accomplishments. “As your mother, I cannot fully express how PROUD I am of you,” she stated. “Watching you rise above months of being targeted and judged has left me in awe of your strength.” Nereyda praised her daughter for maintaining focus and resilience, stating, “Despite it all, you kept training, you kept showing up, and now you’re bringing THE GOLD HOME!”
During the championships, chants from protesters echoed through the stadium, with one demonstrator proclaiming through a bullhorn, “No boys in girls’ sports!” While the CIF banned protest signs inside the venue, demonstrators outside displayed various messages, including “No Child Is Born in the Wrong Body” and “Trans Girls Are Boys: CIF Do Better.” One of the protesters, Josh Fulfer, a local father and conservative influencer, argued that Hernandez should not compete, claiming her participation negatively impacted her cisgender competitors. “I stand with truth,” he stated, insisting that males should not compete against female athletes.
Despite the external pressures, Hernandez's fellow competitors, like Loren Webster, maintained focus on their own performances. Webster, who beat Hernandez in the long jump, remarked, “It wasn’t any other person I was worried about. I knew what I was capable of.”
The intense scrutiny of Hernandez during the competition reflects a broader national debate on the participation of transgender girls in sports. While Hernandez represents a small fraction of competitors, her situation has become a focal point for conservative outrage, amplified by figures like Trump, who have sought to challenge transgender rights in sports. Polls show that while many Americans support transgender rights, a majority oppose transgender girls competing in youth sports.
Trump's administration has consistently targeted transgender issues since his election, proposing policies aimed at rolling back rights and protections. Recently, he threatened to cut federal funding to California unless it prohibited Hernandez from competing, claiming that such inclusion violated the rights of cisgender girls.
In light of the controversy, the CIF announced changes to its competition rules that would allow cisgender girls who are displaced by transgender athletes to still compete in finals and potentially receive medals. While the CIF did not mention Hernandez by name, the adjustments were seen as a direct response to the heated discussions surrounding her participation. Critics of the changes argue that they do not go far enough and demand a complete ban on transgender athletes.
Advocacy groups for LGBTQ+ rights have condemned the ongoing harassment of Hernandez, arguing that the focus on her is driven by political motives rather than genuine concern for fairness in sports. Kristi Hirst, co-founder of Our Schools USA, stated, “It was simply about using a child, while compromising their personal safety on a national scale, to score political points.”
Nereyda Hernandez hopes her daughter's victories will inspire other young individuals who feel marginalized. She concluded with a message of hope: “To every young person watching, let AB be your reminder that authenticity, courage, and resilience shine BRIGHTER than hate.”
