A viral moment at a California high school track meet has reignited national debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports.
During the CIF Southern Section Finals, Crean Lutheran’s Reese Hogan stood on the first-place podium despite finishing second in the triple jump. The winner, AB Hernandez — a transgender athlete — had already exited. Hogan’s protest came amid growing controversy over fairness in women’s athletics.
Hernandez, a biologically male athlete competing as female, dominated with a 41-foot, 4-inch jump — over four feet ahead of Hogan — and also won the long jump. Reactions online were swift, with critics calling it unfair and supporters defending Hernandez’s right to compete.
The issue has become political. In February, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from female sports, declaring the “war on women’s sports is over.” But states like Maine oppose such bans.
Similar controversies have erupted elsewhere. In 2022, a North Carolina volleyball player suffered a brain injury from a transgender opponent, prompting state legislation. Yet over 400 Olympic athletes signed a letter urging the NCAA not to enact bans, advocating for inclusion.
Hernandez called the backlash “ridiculous” and defended her performance, saying critics overlook her losses and challenges. Some studies cited by Capital & Main suggest transgender women don’t consistently outperform cisgender women.
The clash continues to fuel heated debate — over fairness, rights, and the future of competitive sports.