Teen trans athlete at center of rightwing attacks wins track events in CA

[Jessica_Rose]

Teen trans athlete at center of rightwing attacks wins track events in California

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/teen-trans-athlete-at-center-of-rightwing-attacks-wins-track-events-in-california/ar-AA1FSRc9?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=b52646be7e9d44ea96269938d459e4cb&ei=107

Story by José Olivares (1 June 2025)

A teenage transgender athlete in California, who has been at the center of widespread political attacks by rightwing pundits and the Trump administration, won in two track events over the weekend. The 16-year-old athlete, AB Hernandez, tied for first place alongside two other athletes in the high jump, and tied for first place in the triple jump.

The meet took place days after the California Interscholastic Federation, the governing body for high school sports in the state, changed its rules. Now, if a transgender athlete places in a girls' event, the athlete who finishes just behind will also receive the same place and medal.

Despite protests at the meet, the athletes expressed joy, multiple outlets reported.

"Sharing the podium was nothing but an honor," another high school athlete said to the San Francisco Chronicle. "Although the publicity she's been receiving has been pretty negative, I believe she deserves publicity because she's a superstar. She's a rock star. She's representing who she is."

Hernandez finished the high jump with a mark of 5ft 7in (1.7 meters), the Associated Press reported, with no failed attempts. The two co-winners also cleared that height after each logged a failed attempt. The three shared the first-place win, smiling as they stepped together on to the podium.