California high school athlete sparks national debate with silent protest on track podium
Teen runner's stand against transgender competitor reignites tensions over fairness in girls’ sports
Reese Hogan, a high school athlete from California, stepped onto the first-place podium after finishing second, quietly protesting what she sees as unfair competition against a transgender athlete.
At the CIF Southern Section Finals on May 18, high school junior Reese Hogan did something that quickly went viral — and it wasn’t her athletic performance. After placing second in the triple jump, Hogan climbed to the top spot of the winners’ podium during the photo session, a place typically reserved for the event’s winner.
The official gold medalist, AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School, had already exited the podium. Hogan’s silent gesture, however, spoke volumes — and reignited a nationwide conversation that is anything but quiet.
Hernandez, who was born male but identifies and competes as female, beat Hogan by over four feet in the triple jump, landing a distance of 41 feet, 4 inches. She also won the long jump and placed seventh in the high jump.
But instead of celebrating those victories, much of the public attention focused on Hogan’s act of defiance and the larger issue it symbolizes.
When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion. The crowd erupts with applause.
THIS is the way.
Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!!! https://t.co/KiEm2yV2YY pic.twitter.com/hqGdikES29
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 18, 2025
The fairness question in girls’ sports
The controversy centers on one question: Is it fair for transgender girls, who were born male, to compete against cisgender girls in high school sports?
Supporters of transgender athletes say the issue is about inclusion and equality. They argue that all students deserve the right to participate in sports in a way that aligns with their gender identity.
Critics, however, believe that transgender girls may retain physical advantages, such as strength or speed, from male puberty — and that this creates an uneven playing field. Reese Hogan’s actions were seen by many as a protest against that imbalance.
On social media, reactions were swift and sharp.
“Second place is the real champion,” one commenter wrote.
“This nonsense has to stop,” another added.
A sign spotted at the event read: “The weakest men compete with girls, the weakest minds celebrate it.”
The political firestorm
This debate has moved far beyond high school fields and gymnasiums — it’s now a major political issue.
In February, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in female divisions at the federal level. He declared, “The war on women’s sports is over,” promising that transgender women would not be allowed to compete in the upcoming LA Olympic Games.
This guy won the girls long jump and triple jump in a CA track meet over the weekend.
He won the triple jump by 8ft. He’s really crushing it!
It’s the giggly “feminine” affectations that make him a girl, right? 😡
— Jennifer Sey (@JenniferSey) March 3, 2025
Not all states are following that lead. Maine, for instance, continues to allow transgender athletes to participate according to their gender identity. Other states, like North Carolina, have already passed laws to restrict transgender athletes from joining girls’ teams — laws inspired by incidents like the 2022 volleyball injury involving Payton McNabb, who was hit by a ball spiked by a transgender player.
AB Hernandez speaks out
Despite the backlash, AB Hernandez has not remained silent. In an interview with Capital & Main, she pushed back against claims that she has an unfair advantage.
“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” Hernandez said.
“Now you have no proof that I can’t be beat.”
She added that while she’s won some events this season, she has also placed low or even missed the podium altogether — proof, she says, that she’s not “unbeatable” because of her gender identity.
Capital & Main also referenced studies that suggest transgender women do not consistently outperform their cisgender peers and, in some cases, may be at a disadvantage after transitioning due to hormone therapy and training limitations.
With Reese Hogan’s podium protest now making headlines, the future of high school sports — and who gets to compete — is once again in the spotlight.
For many, Hogan has become a symbol of what they see as a fight to protect fairness in women’s sports. For others, her protest is seen as misdirected frustration that overlooks the right of every student to feel included and respected.
What’s clear is this: the debate isn’t going away anytime soon. More states are drafting legislation, athletes are speaking out on both sides, and viral moments like this are fueling a fire that continues to grow.
As the CIF Masters Meet approaches on May 24 — where Hernandez is set to compete again — all eyes will be on the results, and perhaps, on how athletes and the public respond.
This is no longer just about a jump, a medal, or a podium. It’s about how we define fairness, identity, and inclusion — not just in sports, but in society.
