Transgender Athlete Secures Final High School Championship Titles
AB Hernandez, a transgender track and field athlete, has concluded her high school athletic career by securing two California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state championships. These victories add to her impressive collection of accolades, with wins in the high jump and triple jump events.
Hernandez also achieved a third-place finish in the long jump. Throughout her high school tenure, she accumulated a total of seven state medals in girls’ competitions. Notably, six of these medals were shared, a practice in line with CIF policy designed to award a similar medal to a cisgender athlete who might have otherwise been displaced by Hernandez’s performance.
Shared Victories and Sportsmanship Highlighted
In the triple jump, Hernandez was named co-state champion alongside cisgender competitor Daniela Hughes. Hernandez recorded a distance of 42 feet, 8.75 inches, while Hughes jumped 41 feet, 1 inch. Images from the event show Hughes placing an arm around Hernandez as they posed together for photographs atop the podium.
The high jump title was also a shared victory. Hernandez cleared a height of 5 feet, 10 inches, tying with Lelani Laruelle. Both athletes stood together in first place, displaying their gold medals. Laruelle commented on the competition, stating, “I mean, it was fun, I’m neutral. I feel like there’s no other way to do it. She’s been a real good competitor,” according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Hernandez’s final event, the long jump, saw her tie for third place with a best mark of 20 feet, 2.25 inches. Reflecting on the end of her high school career, Hernandez told the Chronicle, “I’m not gonna celebrate too hard. I have grad night tomorrow.” She also spoke about her fellow competitors, noting the strong bonds within the Southern Section and extending that camaraderie to athletes from other sections, describing them as “super close.”
Hernandez’s participation in girls’ athletics predates public knowledge of her transgender identity. Her status became widely known in 2025 following what has been described as a doxxing incident. Her athletic career has been a focal point in the broader discussion surrounding transgender inclusion in sports, particularly due to her transition from male to female.
Broader Context and Future Plans
The athlete’s participation has previously drawn national attention, with reports indicating that former President Trump had threatened to withhold federal funding from California if the CIF permitted Hernandez to compete in the girls’ division. With collegiate athletics organizations like the NCAA reportedly banning transgender athletes from competing, Hernandez has not yet finalized her college plans. She expressed to the Chronicle, “Hopefully (my decision) comes to a conclusion soon.”
Hernandez’s conclusion to her high school career marks a significant moment, underscoring ongoing conversations about fairness and inclusion within competitive sports.
