A transgender athlete took the lead in several events at a California girls' high school track and field meet on Saturday, while protesters outside demanded state officials restrict girls' sports to biological female athletes.

According to the New York Post, A.B. Hernandez — a senior from Jurupa Valley — competed at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 preliminaries held at Yorba Linda High School.

Hernandez led in all three jumping events:

  • triple jump,

  • long jump,

  • and tied for first in the high jump.

In the triple jump, Hernandez achieved a performance of:

  • 42 feet 4 inches,
    while the next athletes reached:

  • 39 feet 7 1/2 inches,

  • and 37 feet 8 inches.

In the long jump, Hernandez reached:

  • 20 feet 4 1/4 inches,
    more than 1 foot further than the runner-up.

In the high jump, Hernandez tied for first with Reese Hogan after clearing 5 feet 2 inches.

These results continue to fuel the controversy regarding transgender athletes participating in women's sports.

Outside the venue, many people organized a "Save Girls’ Sports" protest.

The protest was led by former NCAA athlete Sophia Lorey.

Some protesters criticized California Governor Gavin Newsom and claimed that:

“female athletes are being threatened.”

A parent present at the meet told Outkick:

“This happened last year and I thought things would end, but this is California.”

Hernandez previously played girls' volleyball and has repeatedly sparked debate following victories in girls' track meets.

The issue has now expanded into a national debate.

According to the report:

  • The United States Department of Justice is suing California regarding its transgender athlete policies,

  • while the United States Department of Education has expanded investigations into several schools and sports organizations in the state for potential Title IX violations.

The investigation now includes the California Community College Athletic Association — the body that governs 108 community sports programs statewide.

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Kimberly Richey stated:

“Women’s sports are for women.”

She added:

“The Trump administration will not accept policies that erase the rights of women.”

Meanwhile, tennis legend Martina Navratilova also publicly criticized California’s handling of the issue on the social media platform X.