The participation of a trans athlete in a school track championship in California sparked controversy, following her victories in three girls’ events. The incident occurred during the CIF Southern Section finals, when Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School, who had finished second, symbolically stepped onto the first place podium after the winner, trans athlete AB Hernandez, stepped down.

Hogan had just achieved a new personal and school record, yet placed second in the triple jump, losing by more than a meter to Hernandez. The moment was captured on video, showing Hogan smiling as she steps onto the top of the podium, with the crowd erupting in applause.

Political activist Riley Gaines, known for opposing the participation of trans athletes in women’s sports, shared the video on X (formerly Twitter), stating that “Reese took the spot she deserved” and labeled Hernandez a “cheat.”

Hernandez, a trans student from Jurupa Valley, took first place in both the triple jump and the long jump, and placed seventh in the high jump. Her performance has ignited fierce debate, with commentators stating the obvious, that it undermines fairness in school sports. Jennifer Sey, founder of the organization XX-XY, denounced Hernandez’s participation as “unfair to biological girls.”

Hernandez has responded to the criticism, saying she remains focused on her performance, and argued that her critics are “acting immaturely.” “I’m still a kid,” she emphasized, “and you’re adults behaving like children.”

The issue of trans athlete participation in school sports has been a repeated flashpoint in U.S. political discourse. Recently, a bill from former President Donald Trump aiming to ban trans athletes from participating in sports designated for biological females was rejected in Congress, with Democrats unanimously opposing the proposal.