A California high school track meet became the latest battleground in the ongoing national debate about transgender athletes in women’s sports. Reese Hogan, a female athlete from Crean Lutheran High School, made headlines when she stood on the first-place podium after finishing second to transgender competitor AB Hernandez in the triple jump event.
The viral moment occurred at the CIF Southern Section Finals, where Hernandez, a biologically male athlete identifying as female, won with a jump measuring 41 feet, 4 inches – more than four feet farther than Hogan’s best attempt. After the official ceremony concluded, Hogan returned to the empty top podium spot, creating an image that quickly spread across social media platforms.
This incident has reignited heated discussions about fairness in women’s sports. Supporters of transgender inclusion argue that Hernandez followed all competition rules, while critics maintain that biological advantages undermine competitive integrity. The controversy comes as several states have implemented policies restricting transgender participation in women’s athletics, while others have moved to protect transgender athletes’ rights.
