Trans athlete wins three events at California girls track finals

A girls track and field meet in California drew national attention for the second straight week after a trans athlete won three jumping events. AB Hernandez took first place in the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section finals on Saturday.

A rule enacted last year awarded any female athlete who finished behind a trans competitor one higher placement. The top female finisher shared the top spot on the podium with Hernandez in each event.

Photos and video of the three ceremonies spread quickly on social media. The images prompted criticism of the CIF from Rep. Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., Rep. Nancy Mace, R-N.C., and activists Riley Gaines and Jennifer Sey.

The CIF introduced the pilot program for the state finals last May. It advanced any female athlete who finished one spot out of qualifying in events that included a trans competitor. The program also placed any female athlete who finished behind a trans athlete one spot higher on the final results.

In a May 16 letter to parents, the CIF said the same program would apply to Saturday's section finals and the rest of the postseason.

The CIF said it values all student-athletes and will continue to follow California law and education code. The organization first adopted the rule after Hernandez reached the state final last year. President Donald Trump criticized California and Gov. Gavin Newsom at the time and threatened to withhold federal funding.

The Justice Department filed a Title IX lawsuit against state education agencies in July after Hernandez won two state titles and placed second in another event.

A parent at Saturday's meet told Fox News Digital that a coach confirmed the pilot program would continue through the state postseason. The CIF did not respond to a request for comment.

Hernandez and other section winners advance to the CIF preliminaries next Saturday. The two-day state finals begin May 29 in Clovis, California.