CLOVIS, Calif. (AP) — A transgender athlete bested the competition Saturday at the California high school track and field championship to take home gold in the girls high jump and the triple jump at a meet that has stirred controversy and drawn national attention.

AB Hernandez competed under a new rule change that may be the first of its kind nationally by a high school sports governing body. California’s governing body changed the rules ahead of the meet to allow more girls to compete and medal in events in which Hernandez competed.

Hernandez finished the high jump with a mark of 5 feet, 7 inches (1.7 meters), with no failed attempts. Co-winners Jillene Wetteland and Lelani Laruelle also cleared that height after each logged a failed attempt. The three shared the first-place win, smiling as they stepped together onto the podium.

Hernandez wrapped up the night with a first place finish in the triple jump, sharing the top spot with Kira Gant Hatcher who trailed by just over a half-meter. Earlier in the afternoon, Hernandez placed second in the long jump.

Olympians Marion Jones and Tara Davis-Woodhall previously set state championship records in the long jump in 1993 and 2017, respectively, both surpassing 22 feet (6.7 meters). This year’s winner, Loren Webster, topped 21 feet (6.40 meters), with Hernandez trailing by a few inches.

The California Interscholastic Federation announced the new policy earlier this week in response to Hernandez’s success heading into the championships. Under the policy, the federation allowed an additional student to compete and medal in the events where Hernandez qualified.

The two-day championship kicked off Friday in sweltering heat at a high school near Fresno. Temperatures reached the triple digits during Saturday’s finals.

The atmosphere was relatively quiet despite critics — including parents, conservative activists and President Donald Trump — calling for Hernandez to be barred from competing. Some critics wore pink bracelets and T-shirts that read, “Save Girls’ Sports.”

During Friday’s qualifying events, an aircraft circled above the stadium for more than an hour with a banner: “No Boys in Girls’ Sports!” Two groups that oppose transgender athletes participating in women’s sports — the Independent Council on Women’s Sports and Women Are Real — took credit for flying the banner.

California at center of national debate

The federation’s rule change reflected efforts to find a middle ground in the debate over trans girls’ participation in youth sports.

“The CIF values all of our student-athletes and we will continue to uphold our mission of providing students with the opportunity to belong, connect, and compete while complying with California law,” the group said in a statement after announcing its rule change.

A recent AP-NORC poll found that about 7 in 10 U.S. adults think transgender female athletes should not be allowed to participate in girls and women’s sports at the high school, college or professional level. That view was shared by about 9 in 10 Republicans and roughly half of Democrats.

The federation announced the change after Trump threatened to pull federal funding from California unless it bars trans female athletes from competing on girls teams. The federation said it decided on the change before then.

The U.S. Department of Justice also said it would investigate the federation and the district that includes Hernandez’s high school to determine whether they violated federal sex discrimination law.

California law allows trans students to compete on sex-segregated sports teams consistent with their gender identity.

The federation said the rule opens the field to more “biological female” athletes. One expert said the change may itself be discriminatory because it creates an extra spot for “biological female” athletes but not for other trans athletes.

The federation did not specify how it defines “biological female” or how it would verify whether a competitor meets that definition.

Sophia Lorey, outreach director with California Family Council, was among those at the stadium Saturday. She said the federation’s policy is not a fix for the issue and only ends up causing more confusion.

“At the end of the day,” Lorey said, “it shows the girls that we know this is wrong and we’re still letting it happen to you.”

Hernandez told the publication Capital & Main this month that she cannot worry about critics.

“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” she said.

Other students break records

California’s championship stands out from that of other states because of the sheer number of competitors. The state had the second-largest number of students participating in outdoor track and field in the nation during the 2023-2024 school year, behind Texas, according to a survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

The boys 100-meter heats also were a highlight, with junior Jaden Jefferson of De La Salle High School in Concord finishing in 10.01 seconds Friday, 0.19 seconds faster than a meet record set in 2023. But he fell just shy of making it count as a meet record with a final time of 10.27 seconds in Saturday’s final.

Athletes set new meet records in several events, including boys and girls relay races, hurdle competitions and the boys pole vault.

Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to this report.

Austin is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Austin on X: @sophieadanna

SMHS FOOTBALL

Local San Marcos children gathered at Toyota Rattler Stadium to participate in a mini football camp hosted and led by current Rattler coaches and players.

The camp is designated to help teach kids develop their skills, have a better understanding of the game of football, and getting to know both the Rattler players and coaches.

During the two days, kids participated in basic football drills and played in two-touch football games to wrap-up the camps.

cmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc

A teenage transgender athlete in California, who has been at the center of widespread political attacks by rightwing pundits and the Trump administration, won in two track events over the weekend. The 16-year-old athlete, AB Hernandez, tied for first place alongside two other athletes in the high jump, and tied for first place in the triple jump.

This comes as the Trump administration threatened to withhold federal funding from California for allowing trans athletes to compete in girls’ sports.

The meet took place days after the California Interscholastic Federation, the governing body for high school sports in the state, changed its rules. Now, if a transgender athlete places in a girls’ event, the athlete who finishes just behind will also receive the same place and medal.

Despite protests at the meet, the athletes expressed joy during the meet, multiple outlets reported.

“Sharing the podium was nothing but an honor,” another high school athlete said to the San Francisco Chronicle. “Although the publicity she’s been receiving has been pretty negative, I believe she deserves publicity because she’s a superstar. She’s a rock star. She’s representing who she is.”

Hernandez finished the high jump with a mark of 5ft 7in (1.7 meters), the Associated Press reported, with no failed attempts. The two co-winners also cleared that height after each logged a failed attempt. The three shared the first-place win, smiling as they stepped together onto the podium.

Hernandez received first place in the triple jump, sharing the top spot with an athlete who trailed by just more than a half-meter, the AP said. Earlier in the afternoon, Hernandez placed second in the long jump.

Hernandez and her participation in the meet brought national attention and attacks by the Trump administration. She has become the target of a national, rightwing campaign to ban trans athletes from youth sports. The justice department said it would investigate the California Interscholastic Federation and the school district to determine whether they violated federal sex-discrimination law.

The federation’s rule change reflects efforts to find a middle ground in the debate over trans girls’ participation in high school sports. They announced the change after Trump threatened to pull federal funding from California unless it bars trans athletes from competing on girls’ teams. But the federation said it decided on the change before the Trump threats.

Hernandez’s participation in the sport is allowed by a 2013 state law, stating that students can compete in the category reflecting their gender identity.

Her talent led some to fear that she would sweep the competition. At least 24 states have laws on the books barring transgender women and girls from participating in certain women’s or girls’ sports competitions, the AP reported. However, research has indicated that trans athletes do not outperform other athletes.

A local former Division I basketball standout is continuing his mission of giving back to the next generation of athletes in our area—and this summer, he’s doing it on an even bigger scale.

Nate Frye, a former Houma Christian and University of New Orleans basketball star, is once again bringing his Alpha Omega Performance Camp to the Thibodaux Regional Sports Complex. The 2025 camp promises a dynamic, high-energy experience designed to help young athletes improve their skills, build confidence, and explore new sports in a fun and supportive environment.

Frye, who helped lead Houma Christian to multiple playoff appearances and played a key role in UNO’s NCAA Tournament run, has transitioned from player to mentor. Through his Alpha Omega Training Program, he has developed a reputation for redefining youth sports development in the Bayou Region. Last year, he launched the Alpha Omega Development League, a training and competition platform rooted in accessibility and inclusivity. This year’s summer camp continues that mission, offering programming for both beginner and intermediate athletes.

The Alpha Omega Performance Camp will run weekday mornings from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM and is open to boys and girls ages 8–15. Each day begins with speed and agility training for all campers, followed by sport-specific skill development across seven sports:

Baseball, Softball, Basketball, Tennis, Football, Volleyball, and Soccer.

One of the most exciting features of this year’s camp is its “Mix & Match” option, allowing campers to choose a different sport each day based on their interests. Those who prefer a focused approach can also opt for a single sport for the week through the “Weekly Enrollment Option.”

“We’re not just training athletes,“ Frye said. “We’re creating a platform where kids can grow, explore new interests, and learn what it means to be dedicated to their craft—on and off the field.”

Camp pricing begins at $150 for a whole week of training.

Frye’s camps and leagues are known not only for their sports instruction but also for their emphasis on character development, accessibility, and personalized growth. The use of modern tools, such as the Alpha Omega Training App, remains a core part of the experience, helping young athletes stay engaged with their development both during and after the camp.

For more information on the 2025 Alpha Omega Performance Camp, the Alpha Omega Training App, or the Alpha Omega Development League, visit the group’s Facebook page: Alpha Omega Training, or email alphaomega22.13@yahoo.com.

Register here: 

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cognitoforms.com_AlphaOmegaTraining1_AlphaOmegaPerformanceCamp2025&d=DwIFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=MCJg-kjLBB3Tz46zphzlaD5kHW4apRnU02TABnp77EY&m=MMby2QmLFvUfrqt-xU8NlT7QH90em4V9sJ4gIv5a_kfXJECOuGYS0tppdutuQuEc&s=mNzOA9rJxdhJfEw1gNXZEXvSgyKSH69B1G012XsvcB0&e=