High school athlete slams shared CIF rule as humiliating response to female competitors
AB Hernandez, a trans athlete, spent another weekend dominating the track and field competition, winning first place in the high jump, long jump and triple jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section finals on Saturday (as reported by Fox News Digital’s Jackson Thompson).
From America’s newsroomCrean Lutheran High School girls track and field athlete Olivia Viola spoke out about the CIF’s continued indifference to calls by female athletes to expel boys from the competition, including AB Hernandez.
Dana Perino spoke to Olivia and her mother:
“Olivia, I’m sorry for what you’re going through. Riley Gaines posted this: ‘If you have to create a forum for a guy competing in an all-girl event, you’ve already admitted that you know he’s not a girl and that his participation is wrong. At that point, you’re just trying to shame the girl community.’
TRACK STAR SAYS HE’S TIRED OF CHRISTIANS SO-CALLED ‘COURTESY’ FOR DEGRADING TRANS ATHLETES IN GIRLS’ SPORTS.
The high school athlete responded, insisting that the CIF champion rule only applies to postseason state qualifiers.
Transgender student athlete AB Hernandez competes in the girls’ high jump at the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Divisional Championship Finals in Moorpark, Calif., on May 16, 2026. Hernandez, of Jurupa Valley High School, won first place in the event. (Fox News Digital)
“I can say that it is nothing but a band adjustment from the athletics governing board. It does not actually reverse all the migrations that have happened throughout their league. It only applies to the last meeting of the CIF. It does not apply to the league, it does not apply to foreign competitions, it does not apply to other sports. It does not only fix the problem;
WATCH:
The dispute stems from the outcome of Saturday’s CIF Southern Section Division finals in Moorpark, California.
Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, swept the postseason jumping events and defeated Crean Lutheran’s Reese Hogan in the high jump. It was the second weekend in a row that Hernandez dominated the field.
Transgender student athlete AB Hernandez competes in the girls’ high jump at the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Divisional Championship Finals in Moorpark, Calif., on May 16, 2026. Hernandez, of Jurupa Valley High School, won first place in the event. (Fox News Digital)
As mandated by the CIF, which appears to be trying to appeal to both sides of the trans issue, any natural female athlete who finishes behind a transgender competitor is automatically promoted to the same place.
CALIFORNIA GIRLS SPORTS BATTLE CALLS WITH HUGE PROMOTION, Rage for latest single and arena title.
This policy meant that the top natural female finishers were the chosen champions, leading to widespread images of Hernandez sharing the top step of the medal podium with female athletes.
Although the CIF sees its decision as wise, the girls raised the issue of allowing boys to compete with girls. Viola’s reaction reflected growing frustration among opponents who believe the governing body is using procedural fixes to avoid resolving the inherent tensions in girls’ sports.
The law repeatedly does not address the regular season, when women’s athletes throughout California can be eliminated from local league tournaments, invitationals and dual meets without field preparation.
TRUMP ADMIN SENDS WARNING TO CALIFORNIA AS TRANS ATHLETES PROGRESS IN GIRLS’ SPORTS AND FIELD SPORTS
Transgender student athlete AB Hernandez competes in the girls’ high jump at the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Divisional Championship Finals in Moorpark, Calif., on May 16, 2026. Hernandez, of Jurupa Valley High School, won first place in the event. (Fox News Digital)
And while track and field embraces a double-advancement and double-medal system, the policy doesn’t translate easily to contact sports or other athletic competitions, creating what critics see as an apparent contradiction across the country.
CIF maintains that its rules are bound by California Assembly Bill 1266, a 2013 law that requires schools to allow students to participate in athletic programs that align with their gender identity.
Governor Gavin Newsom’s office defended the draft, calling the protests against Hernandez a ridiculous attempt to fuel debate.
However, resistance from female athletes like Viola is matched by broader organizational pushback.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM
Transgender student athlete AB Hernandez competes in the girls high jump at the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section Divisional Championship Finals in Moorpark, Calif., on May 16, 2026. Spectators wear “Protect Girls Sports” shirts and hats at the event. (Fox News Digital)
Following Hernandez’s outstanding state title last year, the US Department of Justice filed a Title IX lawsuit against California educational institutions, putting the state’s athletic policies at the center of an escalating national legal battle as the track season moves into the State Finals in Clovis.
The fight for justice in girls’ sports continues. And the case against AB continues to echo feminist arguments more than trans-narratives.
Send us your comments: alejandro.avila@outkick.com / Follow on X: @alejandroaveela
