California track athlete briefly poses on 1st-place podium after losing to trans athlete, receives praise

California girls' high school athletes reflect on their experience competing against a trans athlete in a postseason meet, as the state continues to defend its policies on gender eligibility.

California girls track athlete Reese Hogan received praise on social media over the weekend when she briefly popped onto the first-place marker during the podium ceremony and posed for a photo after she lost to a transgender athlete in the triple jump.

Hogan, an athlete from Crean Lutheran High School, set a personal record and school record in the triple jump at 37 feet, 2 inches during the meet on Saturday. She was competing in Division 3 of the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Finals.

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California high school girls athletes wear "Protect Girls Sports" shirts at a postseason track meet at Yorba Linda High School on Saturday, May 10, 2025. (Courtesy of Reese Hogan)

The transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School defeated Hogan by more than 4 feet. The athlete also won the long jump competition.

Hogan, with a medal around her neck, smiled as she stepped up to the first-place spot once the ceremony was finished. The junior received massive cheers in the video that circulated around social media and praised her as the "real champion."

The 16-year-old was among those who told Fox News Digital last week that CIF officials made her and her fellow athletes remove their "Protect Girls Sports" T-shirts before their meet at the CIF Southern Section Prelims.

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Reese Hogan finished in second place in the triple jump. (Fox News)

She alleged that