Transgender track athlete set to compete in California championships amid scrutiny from Trump administration
A high school student at the center of a national conversation around transgender athletes is competing this weekend in California's girls' track and field finals following threats from President Trump to withhold funding from the state over her participation.
AB Hernandez, a transgender student, is scheduled to compete in the long, triple and high jump events Friday at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) State Track & Field Championships in Clovis, near Fresno. Hernandez is the favorite to move through to Saturday's finals and win the state title in the triple jump.
In an effort to address debate over her participation sparked by Mr. Trump, organizers announced a last-minute rule change for the meet that would allow other students to qualify for competition in the girls' finals and create the possibility of a "co-state champion" in jump events.
"On Friday, May, 30, if necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump qualifying events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark will also be advanced to the finals," the California Interscholastic Federation said in a statement.
"Additionally, if necessary, in the high jump, triple jump and long jump events at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships, a biological female student-athlete who would have earned a specific placement on the podium will also be awarded the medal for that place and the results will be reflected in the recording of the event."
Friday's meet is a preliminary round, with those who qualify set to compete for state titles in their respective events on Saturday.
Who is AB Hernandez?
Hernandez is in her junior year at Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County. She competed in the girls' long and triple jump events at the state meet last year, albeit in a much less high-profile capacity.
As a sophomore, she took third place in the triple jump at the 2024 state finals, according to official results.
Hernandez hasn't spoken publicly in recent days but told nonprofit news publication Capital & Main that "There's nothing I can do about people's actions, just focus on my own."
Hernandez placed first at the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet in both the girls' long and triple jump events last week, earning her a spot in Friday's preliminaries.
California track finals draw national scrutiny
The national spotlight has been trained on Hernandez's title pursuit as the debate over trans rights has ramped up during the second Trump administration.
Mr. Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social this week to criticize California Gov. Gavin Newsom over Hernandez's participation in the championships, calling it a "totally ridiculous situation." He threatened to pull federal funding from California if Hernandez competed at the state meet.
"As a Male, he was a less than average competitor," Mr. Trump said. "As a Female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS."
The Jurupa Unified School District told CBS News that Hernandez's right to participate in girls' competition is protected by AB 1266, a California law that bars gender discrimination at schools in the state, including in athletics.
This week, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a probe into California and the Jurupa Unified School District's enforcement of the law, arguing that it violates the civil rights of female athletes granted under Title IX.
Protests expected
Groups referring to themselves as advocates for girls' sports were still trying to prevent Hernandez from competing at the state meet on the eve of the event.
"These attacks on girls and women in women's sports by boys parading as females must end immediately," Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld said Thursday. "Allowing biological males to compete in high school girls' track and field championships."
Organizers of a "Protect Girls Sports" protest were expected to meet outside of Buchanan High School in Clovis, where the meet is taking place.
The CIF said it was "working with the Clovis Unified School District to ensure appropriate levels of security are staffed at our event."
A spokesperson for Hernandez's family spoke with CBS News Los Angeles on Tuesday, saying that she's unsure why so many people are worried about her participation in high school sports when the world is facing much bigger issues.
"First of all, it's bullying and discriminatory," said Kathie Moehlig, the founder and executive director of Trans Family Support Services, speaking on behalf of the family. "This person was voted into an office to work for all the people, and you're gonna spend your time picking on a child?"
Parent and teacher Juli Stowers voiced her support for Hernandez following a recent track meet where the President of Chino Valley Unified School District, Sonja Shaw, berated the teenager's mother.
"To be taking this kind of heat, literally while you are competing, it's incredible," said Julie Stowers, who attended the same meet to support Hernandez. "I mean, she's incredibly strong emotionally to be able to do this."
