AB Hernandez Wins Three Medals at CIF State Championships
AB Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, secured first place in the girls' high jump and triple jump, and third place in the long jump at the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) track and field state championships on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Event Results
Hernandez set a winning high jump mark of 5 feet, 10 inches, and a triple jump of 48 feet, 8 3/4 inches. In the long jump, she posted a mark of 20 feet, 2 1/4 inches. Ellie McCuskey-Hay of St. Ignatius and Gianna Gonzalez of Moorpark both recorded jumps of 20-3½.
Hernandez shared the triple-jump first-place podium with Daniela Hughes of Los Altos (41-1) and the high jump first-place podium with Leilani Laruelle of Monta Vista (5-8). In the long jump, she shared the third-place podium with Corrine Jones of St. Mary's Berkeley (19-9 ½).
CIF Policy and Pilot Program
Under existing CIF policy, transgender athletes who place at state championships receive medals but do not displace cisgender girls in the final standings.
In 2025, the CIF implemented a pilot program at the Moorpark High School championship meet on May 16. The program allows cisgender female athletes who finish behind a transgender athlete to be awarded the same medal and podium placement as the trans athlete. The policy was announced on the day of the event and applies to the long jump, triple jump, and high jump.
At the 2025 Division 3 meet:
- In the long jump, Hernandez finished first. The event was announced with two co-winners: Hernandez and Gianna Gonzalez, who took the first-place spot alone as Hernandez prepared for another event.
- In the high jump, Hernandez won. Second-place finisher Gwynneth Mureika was announced as co-champion and stood on the top podium spot alongside Hernandez.
- In the triple jump, Hernandez won again. Second-place Malia Strange did not attend the ceremony; Hernandez stood alone on the top spot.
The pilot program was used in the 2024 season and reinstated for 2025.
Competition Details
Hernandez secured her place in the finals on her opening long jump attempt on Friday, posting a mark strong enough to hold the top qualifying position. She passed on her remaining two attempts after locking up advancement.
Hernandez arrived in Clovis after sweeping all three of her events at the Southern Section championships. Entering the state meet, she ranked among the nation's top 10 performers in all three events. She shared California's best high jump mark, was tied for second in the long jump, and ranked second in the triple jump.
Surrounding Events and Reactions
The atmosphere at the 2024 championships was described as calmer than in 2023, when demonstrations over Hernandez's participation drew national attention.
On Friday, June 1, 2024, Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton held a news conference outside Veterans Memorial Stadium opposing CIF's policies on transgender athletes. On Saturday, the Rainbow Families Action group hosted a news conference in support of Hernandez. Counter-protesters appeared toward the end; the two sides exchanged words before dispersing.
Event organizers prohibited signs inside the venue. Inside the stadium, spectators cheered for Hernandez during her long-jump approach, and some fans wore bracelets with the message "We Stand With AB." Democrat Tom Steyer released a video on X on Friday featuring a previous conversation with Hernandez, expressing support for her participation in high school athletics.
Following the 2025 pilot program implementation, Riley Gaines publicly criticized the policy in a social media post. Actor Rob Schneider and actor James Woods posted critical comments. Some LGBTQ activists and trans-rights advocates also opposed the program, suggesting it may violate California law. The CIF has not responded to requests for comment. The governor's office directed inquiries to the CIF.
The issue has become a topic in the 2026 gubernatorial primaries.