YORBA LINDA, California – A transgender athlete, AB Hernandez, a senior from Jurupa Valley, dominated the jumping events at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries at Yorba Linda High School on Saturday, May 9, 2026. Hernandez secured first place in the long jump and triple jump, and tied for first in the high jump, amidst "Save Girls’ Sports" protests outside the venue. The event reignited debates surrounding California's policy on transgender athletes in girls' sports.
Jennifer Sey, an activist, highlighted the situation in a tweet, stating, > "Protest underway at a CIF prelims where male athlete AB Hernandez will compete in the long jump, high jump and triple jump." Following the competition, Sey further tweeted, > "AB Hernandez won all three events today — long jump, high jump and triple jump. He continues to steal from young women. Shameless."
Hernandez's performance showcased significant margins of victory. In the long jump, Hernandez achieved 20 feet, 4 1/4 inches, surpassing the next closest competitor by over a foot. The triple jump saw Hernandez record 42 feet, 4 inches, nearly three feet ahead of the second-place finisher. Hernandez also tied for first in the high jump with Reese Hogan, clearing 5 feet, 2 inches.
The protests, led by former NCAA athlete Sophia Lorey, focused on competitive fairness and the impact of California's decade-old policy allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls' sports. Demonstrators gathered outside Yorba Linda High School, expressing concerns that the policy disadvantages biological female athletes. This situation is not new, as Hernandez's participation in CIF events in 2025 also drew protests and led to rule adjustments.
In 2025, the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) implemented a rule change allowing for additional medals and podium spots for biological female athletes who would have placed higher if a transgender athlete had not competed. This adjustment aimed to address concerns about displacement. The broader issue of transgender athlete participation in California is also subject to a lawsuit from the Department of Justice against the state's policies.
