A transgender athlete has sparked controversy after transitioning from volleyball to track and field and outperforming competitors in multiple girls’ events.
AB Hernandez, a biological male from Riverside County, dominated all three jumping competitions at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries on Saturday, placing first in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump.
The high school senior recorded standout marks across the board, including a triple jump result that finished nearly three feet ahead of the runner-up.
The athlete’s participation drew protests from demonstrators who argued that biological males should not compete against female athletes because of perceived physical advantages.
The issue has intensified calls for California Gov. Gavin Newsom
The high school senior delivered dominant performances in the long jump, high jump, and triple jump events.
Competing at Yorba Linda High School on Saturday, Hernandez recorded a triple jump mark of 42 feet, 4 inches — nearly three feet ahead of the runner-up, who finished at 39 feet, 7½ inches.
In the long jump, Hernandez posted 20 feet, 4¼ inches, finishing more than a foot ahead of second place at 19 feet, 1½ inches. The third-place athlete recorded 18 feet, 7 inches.
Hernandez also tied for first place in the high jump after clearing 5 feet, 2 inches alongside Reese Hogan.
The athlete previously competed in girls’ volleyball tournaments, appearances that also generated controversy and reportedly led some female players to forfeit rather than compete.
Saturday’s results reignited criticism from opponents who argue that biological males retain physical advantages that they believe create an uneven playing field in girls’ sports.
Before Saturday’s meet, demonstrators gathered outside the venue for a “Save Girls’ Sports” rally organized by former NCAA athlete Sophia Lorey.
Among those protesting was Beth Bourne, a Moms for Liberty member whose daughter previously competed against male athletes. Speaking to The Post, Bourne criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom, calling him a “coward” for allowing current policies to remain in place.
“Males shouldn’t invade girls’ sports and spaces,” Bourne said. “He could have easily changed these policies. Girls and women should have their own sports.”
She added: “This is going to be Newsom’s legacy — that he was someone who said one thing and did another.”
Last October, Bourne drew attention during a Davis Joint Unified School District board meeting when she stripped down to a bikini to argue that women and girls deserve privacy in locker rooms.
Sonja Shaw said the issue was having a damaging impact on girls’ athletics across California.
Speaking to The Post, Shaw criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom over the state’s policies on transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports.
“How much longer is California going to allow our daughters to suffer?” Shaw said. “Gavin Newsom is a spineless bully to California’s daughters.”
She continued by accusing state leaders of failing to protect female athletes and called for major policy changes, including restoring sex-based categories in sports and stronger protections for girls’ locker rooms and private spaces.
Shaw also argued that public opinion is shifting against current policies and urged voters to push for change at the ballot box.
“Boys are stealing our daughters’ places,” she said. “Justice for our daughters is not optional. History will record who stood up and who sold out.”
Newsom’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Hernandez has become a prominent figure in the growing national debate surrounding transgender participation in girls’ sports.
Saturday’s competition marked another high-profile matchup with Reese Hogan, who previously drew attention after stepping onto the top podium position following an event victory by Hernandez.
California has emerged as a major battleground in the controversy over transgender athletes competing in women’s sports, with the United States Department of Justice suing the state over its policies regarding transgender participation in athletics.
Meanwhile, the United States Department of Education has expanded investigations into several California schools and athletic organizations over potential Title IX violations linked to transgender athletes
Parents and officials have called on California Gov. Gavin Newsom to intervene and strengthen protections for women’s sports.
The federal investigation has also expanded to include the California Community College Athletic Association, which oversees athletic programs across 108 institutions in the state.
Kimberly Richey, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, said: “Women’s sports are for women. The Trump administration will not tolerate policies that erase women’s rights.”
Former tennis champion Martina Navratilova also weighed in on the debate, publicly supporting Olympic gold medalists Nancy Hogshead-Makar and Kaillie Humphries after they criticized California’s approach.
Responding on social media platform X, Navratilova wrote: “Right on Nancy!!! We are just built different!!!” She later added: “Newsom could overturn this in a second. No excuse.”
