A stunning incident at a California high school track meet is causing outrage and reigniting intense discussions nationwide.
During the CIF Southern Section Finals, Crean Lutheran’s Reese Hogan made a daring move — quite literally — by stepping onto the first-place podium, despite finishing second in the triple jump.
Why did she do it? Hogan was narrowly beaten by AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete who was assigned male at birth but now competes as female.
Is there a war on women’s sports?
The conversation surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports is dividing the country. Advocates argue it’s about inclusion, identity, and fundamental human rights — while opponents caution that it poses a direct threat to fairness and the integrity of women’s competitions.
Currently, this issue has evolved from a cultural flashpoint to a political one. In February, former President Donald Trump took a decisive stand by signing an executive order that prohibits transgender women from competing in female sports divisions.
Trump stated, “The war on women’s sports is over,” pledging that during the upcoming LA Olympic Games, “my administration will not stand by and watch men beat and batter female athletes.”
This decision, predictably, sparked a nationwide uproar — and not every state is complying. For instance, Maine has openly rejected the idea of banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.
Now, a viral incident from California has reignited this heated debate.
The video footage
During the CIF Southern Section Finals on May 18, Reese Hogan from Crean Lutheran High School made a bold statement.
Even though she secured second place in the triple jump, Hogan made her way back to the podium after the official ceremony and proudly stood on the top spot — which was vacant after the event’s winner, the outspoken transgender athlete AB Hernandez, had left.
The footage of the scene went viral and spread rapidly across the internet. For many, it represented their frustration regarding what they perceive as an unequal playing field.
Hernandez, a male athlete who identifies as female, excelled in the competition with a jump measuring 41 feet, 4 inches — more than four feet ahead of Hogan.
Hernandez, hailing from Jurupa Valley High School in California, also triumphed in the long jump and secured seventh place in the high jump, earning a spot in the CIF Masters Meet set for May 24.
The online community was quick to respond.
“This guy won the girls long jump and triple jump in a CA track meet over the weekend,” stated Jennifer Sey, the founder of the women’s sports advocacy group XX-XY.
“He won the triple jump by 8ft. He’s really crushing it!
“What an achievement! I bet it had nothing to do with being a biological male,” quipped Colin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics.
Others chimed in, reflecting a rising tide of criticism.
“Second place is the true champion!” one user commented. “Kudos to her! This nonsense needs to end,” another remarked.
A straightforward sign seen at the event stated:
“The weakest men compete against girls, and the weakest minds applaud it.”
Another individual added:
“I’m tired of this. All the efforts for women’s rights have been undermined by the very people who initially championed them.”
Series of controversies
This backlash is the most recent in a series of controversies surrounding transgender athletes participating in women’s competitions. Many reference earlier high-profile cases, including one in North Carolina that had enduring effects.
In 2022, 17-year-old volleyball player Payton McNabb experienced a traumatic brain injury after being hit by a spike from a transgender player. Her mother later remarked:
“At that moment, we were not permitted to voice our concerns. We couldn’t say, ‘No, she shouldn’t compete against a boy, it’s unsafe.’”
The McNabb incident played a significant role in motivating North Carolina lawmakers to enact legislation that prohibits transgender athletes from joining girls’ and women’s sports teams at the middle, high school, and college levels.
However, not everyone agrees with such policies. More than 400 current and former Olympic athletes signed a letter urging the NCAA to refrain from implementing similar bans, expressing their desire to be on the “right side of history” and emphasizing that sports should be inclusive for everyone.
In the meantime, Hernandez dismissed the backlash, labeling it as “ridiculous.”
“The very idea of men competing against women is ludicrous,” one critic stated online. “Trans individuals should have their own league, while regular, traditional individuals can participate in standard men’s and women’s sports.”
“Trans girls are girls.”
Conversely, others supported the young athlete’s right to compete.
“She adhered to all the regulations,” one user commented. “If people are unhappy, the issue lies with the regulations, not with her.”
“Trans girls are girls,” another person remarked. “Hernandez won fair and square.”
In a recent discussion with Capital & Main, Hernandez shared her experiences regarding the significant backlash she has encountered throughout a tumultuous track and field season — one that has featured impressive finishes alongside instances where she didn’t even reach the podium.
“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and your childish behavior reflects your character. All I could think was, ‘I don’t believe you realize that this undermines your foolish claims. She can’t be defeated because she’s biologically male.’ Now you have no evidence to support that I can’t be beaten.”
As reported by Capital & Main — a recognized nonprofit organization that addresses key economic, environmental, and social issues in California — research indicates that transgender athletes have not consistently outperformed their cisgender counterparts. In fact, by various measures, transgender women have been found to be at a disadvantage when compared to cisgender women.
The debate shows no signs of resolution in the near future. With more states advocating for bans and prominent athletes expressing opinions on both sides, the struggle over the future of women’s sports remains unresolved.
And due to Reese Hogan’s quiet protest on the podium, the conversation has become significantly louder.
