California trans athlete podium controversy ignites outrage among politicians, activists

AB Hernandez, a trans student at Jurupa Valley HS, beats Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran HS to be named co-champ of the girls' high jump at the CIF Southern Section Championship Finals in Moorpark, Calif., on May 16, 2026. (Credit: Fox News Digital)

A girls' track and field meet in California became the subject of national controversy for the second week in a row when a trans athlete swept three jumping events. What happened on the medal podium afterward became a point of mockery.

Trans athlete AB Hernandez won first place in the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section finals on Saturday. So too did the girl who would have finished first, based on a rule enacted last year that awarded any female athlete that finished behind a trans athlete a higher placement.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE

Trans athlete AB Hernandez shares first place on a podium with a female athlete at the CIF Southern Section final in Moorpark, California on May 16, 2026. (Fox News Digital)

Photos and video of the three podium ceremonies — one of which showed Hernandez and the top female finisher sharing the podium's top spot — went viral on social media, prompting backlash against the CIF among politicians including Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., and Rep. Nancy Mace, R-N.C.; and activists including Riley Gaines and Jennifer Sey.

The CIF enacted a pilot program for the state finals last May that awarded any female athlete that finished behind a trans athlete one higher spot, which resulted in girls sharing podium spots with Hernandez for the championship. The program also ensured any female athlete who finished one spot out of qualifying for the state finals in events that