Transgender athlete AB Hernandez, a 16-year-old junior at Jurupa Valley High School, made headlines at the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships held at Buchanan High School in Clovis, where she claimed multiple gold medals in difficult circumstances. Competing amidst intense scrutiny, including protests instigated by former President Trump and local dissenters opposing transgender participation in girls’ sports, Hernandez excelled in the girls’ high jump and triple jump, while finishing second in the long jump.
Despite Trump’s directives, which controversially claimed she ought to be banned from competing, Hernandez remained calm and focused. She successfully won state titles while navigating extreme temperatures exceeding 100 degrees. Hernandez’s exceptional performance included tying for first with two other competitors in the high jump and earning a joint victory due to new California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rules that aimed to address the contentious debate surrounding transgender athletes.
Her mother, Nereyda Hernandez, expressed immense pride in her daughter, commending her resilience in overcoming months of public scrutiny and pressure. Nereyda stated, “Despite it all, you stayed focused. You kept training, you kept showing up, and now you’re bringing THE GOLD HOME!!!”
The event also showcased significant national discourse, with Trump’s administration proposing to restrict federal funding to California over this issue and the Justice Department launching an investigation into potential civil rights violations concerning transgender athletes. Acknowledging the intense emotional atmosphere, Hernandez’s mother appealed for compassion toward her daughter, emphasizing that the harassment she faced was not only unfair but escalated into a matter of safety.
However, amidst the protests, some competitors, like Loren Webster of Wilson High School, chose to focus more on their own performances rather than the controversies around Hernandez, indicating a desire among some athletes to rise above the distractions.
The atmosphere at the championships reflected a growing conservative movement against transgender girls in sports, despite Hernandez being seen by many as a symbol of the struggles faced by transgender individuals. The CIF’s revised rules to allow cisgender girls to still compete if edged out by a transgender athlete might be viewed as an attempt to compromise amid this growing tension. Yet, these changes have drawn criticism from multiple sides of the spectrum, showcasing the complexity of the issue.
In the wake of Hernandez’s accomplishments, there is hope that her story can serve as an inspiration for young athletes, specifically those who may feel marginalized. Her mother highlighted this sentiment, encouraging those who identify as different to find strength in authenticity and resilience, reinforcing the idea that embracing one’s true self can shine through against adversity.
Hernandez’s achievements serve not only as a testament to her determination but also ignite conversations about equity and inclusion in sports, needed now more than ever as societal debates continue.