Trans Athlete Wins Girls' Track Event in California

Hernandez's victory sparks renewed debate over transgender participation in women's sports.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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AB Hernandez, a transgender high school athlete in California, won the girls' triple jump event at the state's Winter Championships on Saturday. This victory has drawn renewed attention to the ongoing debate over transgender athletes competing in women's sports, with the Trump administration launching a federal probe into California's transgender sports policies.

Why it matters

The case of AB Hernandez highlights the complex and often contentious issue of transgender athletes participating in women's sports. While California law allows students to compete based on their gender identity, critics argue that this policy gives transgender athletes an unfair advantage and undermines the integrity of women's sports.

The details

Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, recorded a jump of 39 feet and 10 inches, besting the second-place finisher by nearly 7 inches. Hernandez also took second place in the long jump event. The Trump administration has expanded an existing investigation into transgender athletes, adding the California Community College Athletic Association to the probe. The administration has stated that 'women's sports are for women' and that it 'will not tolerate policies that erase women's rights'.

  • On Saturday, February 8, 2026, AB Hernandez won the girls' triple jump event at the VS California Winter Championships.
  • In February 2025, Hernandez recorded a more than 40-foot jump at the Ontario Relays Invitational, sparking controversy over transgender athletes competing in women's sports.

The players

AB Hernandez

A transgender high school senior at Jurupa Valley High School in California who won the girls' triple jump event at the state's Winter Championships.

Kimberly Richey

The assistant secretary for civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education, who stated that 'women's sports are for women' and that the Trump administration 'will not tolerate policies that erase women's rights'.

California Community College Athletic Association

The organization that oversees 108 athletic programs statewide and has been added to the Trump administration's investigation into transgender athletes.

Jurupa Valley High School

The high school that AB Hernandez attends, which has been named among the schools in the Trump administration's investigation.

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What they’re saying

“I get a lot of hate comments, but I don't really care. I'm a 16-year-old girl with a strong attitude — do you really think I'm going to listen?”

— AB Hernandez (KCRA)

“They really made my experience perfect, and I'll be forever grateful to them. There are people out there who don't have that kind of support, so I'm very grateful.”

— AB Hernandez (KCRA)

“Women's sports are for women. The Trump administration will not tolerate policies that erase women's rights.”

— Kimberly Richey, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education (nypost.com)

What’s next

The Supreme Court is currently weighing cases involving state laws that bar transgender athletes from participating in girls' and women's sports, though it has not indicated whether it would challenge California's policy of allowing athletes to compete based on gender identity.

The takeaway

The case of AB Hernandez highlights the ongoing debate over the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. While California law allows for such participation, the Trump administration's investigation and the broader societal debate suggest that this issue will continue to be a source of controversy and legal challenges.