AB Hernandez advances in California state championship as Save Girls' Sports activists rally nearby

Trans athlete AB Hernandez advanced to the final round of the 2026 CIF State Track & Field Championships as activists gathered nearby for a "Save Girls' Sports" rally. (Credit: OutKick/ Fox News Digital)

Transgender athlete AB Hernandez advanced in three girls' jumping events, earning the top place in two, during the preliminary round of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) state track & field championships on Friday.

Hernandez, who has been at the center of a national controversy for competing in girls' competitions dating back to last May, will now contend for the state title in girls' long jump, high jump and triple jump on Saturday evening.

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Friday's events took place against the backdrop of a nearby "Save Girls Sports" rally, as California gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton spoke in defense of protecting girls' sports alongside several local activists and an Olympic gold medalist. Hernandez appeared in a video with Democrat gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer earlier that day.

Hernandez, representing Jurupa Valley High School, took the top spot in the girls' long jump with a score of 20-05.50 over Ellie McCuskey-Hay of St. Ignatius, who managed 19-11.25 for second place.

Trans athlete AB Hernandez at the 2026 CIF state championships (Fox News Digital)

As the sun set over Veteran's Memorial Stadium in Clovis, Hernandez then competed in two events simultaneously, as the high jump and triple jump did not adhere to their previously announced schedules. Hernandez punched a ticket to the finals in both.

Hernandez won the triple jump handily with a 41' 8.5, while Zylah Coleman of St. Ignatius finished second with a 40' 3.25.

But Hernandez only finished tied