Protests Erupt At California Girls’ Track Meet After Dominant Performance From Trans Athlete AB Hernandez
Protests broke out at a California high school track meet on Saturday after trans athlete AB Hernandez won three jumping events at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries in Yorba Linda.
Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, claimed first place in the triple jump with a mark of 42 feet, 4 inches. She also won the long jump with a leap of 20 feet, 4 1/4 inches. Both marks topped the rest of the field by wide margins. Hernandez later tied for first in the high jump at 5 feet, 2 inches with Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School.
The meet quickly turned tense as protestors gathered outside the venue. Members of the group Save Girls Sports criticized California policies that allow transgender athletes to compete based on gender identity. The debate drew supporters and opponents to Yorba Linda High School during the competition.
“It happened last year and I thought it’d be done, but it’s California,” one grandparent at the meet told Outkick.
Debate Over Fairness Returns To California Track
The latest controversy follows a similar moment from 2025, when Hogan finished behind Hernandez at a CIF event. After that meet, Hogan stood on the top step of the podium after the ceremony in a gesture that spread widely online.
On Saturday, Save Girls Sports outreach director Sophia Lorey addressed protestors outside the meet. Lorey argued that transgender participation in girls sports hurts female athletes.
5 girls who should have just been able to focus on competing in CIF track & field prelims
— Sophia Lorey (@SophiaSLorey) May 9, 2026
Instead they had to speak out before competing asking for leaders to Protect Girls’ Sports
A male took 1st in girls’ long, high, & triple jump today.
I am so proud of these ladies 💗 pic.twitter.com/QsxOCOVKYU
“Girls across California will continue losing placements, safety and opportunities that they rightfully earned,” Lorey said while criticizing CIF rules.
A smaller counterprotest formed nearby. Supporters of transgender athletes pushed back against claims that transgender competitors take scholarships or unfairly remove opportunities from others.
One counterprotestor pointed to CIF policy changes from last year. Under those rules, biological female athletes who finished behind transgender competitors could still receive shared awards and placements.
“Let’s talk fairness,” the protestor said. “Trans athletes are currently barred from competing in college. They are not taking anybody’s scholarships.”
Athletes and their loved ones host for news conference decrying harassment of trans competitors during CIF prelims in Yorba Linda. It was preceded by a competing rally by Save Girls Sports, associated with the California Family Council. Story soon @thedailypilot @timesocofficial pic.twitter.com/FWYHcobfE0
— Eric Anthony Licas (@EricLicas) May 9, 2026
The speaker also accused critics of targeting transgender students. “This hate coalition has continued to bully, stalk and harass the tiny handful of transgender students who play at the high school level in California,” the protestor said.
Lorey rejected those claims and defended the protests.
“These girls are not bullies for defending fairness and female sports,” she said.
The issue continues to draw legal and political attention in California. Last July, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit over alleged Title IX violations connected to transgender athlete policies in the state. California officials continue to defend the current law, which allows students to compete according to their gender identity.
Protests Erupt At California Girls’ Track Meet After Dominant Performance From Trans Athlete AB Hernandez
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