A transgender athlete won first place in the girls’ high and triple jump events at a California high school track-and-field championship late Saturday and shared the podium with two biological females due to a newly passed California policy.

AB Hernandez, a transgender high school student athlete, placed first in the girls’ high jump, finishing the event with no failed attempts and setting the high mark of 5 feet, 7 inches.

Two biological females, Jillene Wetteland and Lelanie Laruelle, also cleared that high jump mark and shared the first-place podium with Hernandez despite each having a failed attempt thanks to a policy established earlier this week.

Hernandez took home gold for the triple jump, finishing with a final jump of 42 feet and 2 inches.

Kira Grant Hatcher shared the podium with Hernandez after jumping 40 feet 5 inches.

Hernandez also placed second in the long jump.

The California Interscholastic Federation changed its rules on Tuesday to mandate that any biological females who lost to a trans-athlete would not lose their place — meaning no female winners would be displaced by Hernandez’ performance.

The new rule also allowed an extra biological female student-athlete to compete in each category in which Hernandez was set to perform.

The change came in the wake of criticism over the federation’s handling of Hernandez’ success, including from President Donald Trump who threatened to withhold funding from the Golden State.

“California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,’” Trump wrote on Truth Social, Tuesday.

“THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not totally adhered to,” the president concluded.

That executive order threatened to strip federal funding from states that don’t bar transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

During the competition, a plane circled over the stadium for an hour, pulling behind it a banner that read “No Boys in Girls’ Sports!,” which was sponsored by activist groups the Independent Council on Women’s Sports and Women Are Real.

Some folks in the crowd of the competition wore pink bracelets that read “Save Girls’ Sports” in protest of Hernandez.

Outside the event, a person was arrested during a confrontation with another protester, according to reports.

A wave of devastation and anger has swept through Milford, Massachusetts, after an 18-year-old high school junior, identified by family as Marcelo, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on Saturday.

What should have been a weekend of celebrating graduation transformed into an impassioned fight for liberation, culminating in a mile-long march from Milford High School to Town Hall on Sunday. The community’s anguish was palpable as students and staff, still reeling from the ceremony, united in protest.

“He has two younger siblings and they’re kind of questioning whether they’re ever going to see their brother again,” Marcelo’s cousin, Ana Julia Araujo, said. “He’s not a criminal and they’re treating him like one.”

Marcelo was on his way to volleyball practice Saturday morning when “four cars like jumped in front of him and then detained him,” according to his girlfriend, Julianys Rentas Figueroa.

Later that day, Rentas Figueroa spoke with Marcelo and his parents on a three-way call, during which Marcelo described being “put chains around his ankles and on his wrists” and being transferred from Burlington to Plymouth.

A Massachusetts high school student was detained by ICE officials on Saturday morning, his coach confirmed.

The arrest has drawn criticism from local law enforcement, as well as Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey.

Milford Police Chief Robert Tusino confirmed that federal agents never notified the local police department of the operation. Tusino also emphasized that Marcelo’s arrest has no bearing on public safety within the town.

“Marcelo was somebody we don’t know, so what does that tell you? If I don’t know you, my officers don’t know you, there’s a reason we don’t know you,” Tusino said. “It’s because you’re probably not a troublemaker.”

Marcelo was scheduled to play the drums at his girlfriend and friends’ graduation ceremony on Sunday. Instead, he remains in a cell.

“I don’t understand why they targeted Marcelo. He’s been in Milford all his life,” Rentas Figueroa said.

Following the graduation ceremony, the overwhelming emotions translated into action. Students and staff marched from the high school to the Town Hall, chanting for Marcelo’s freedom. State Senator Rebecca Rausch joined the chorus of voices, shouting that “Putting high school students in shackles does not make anyone safer.”

Classmates of Marcelo shared their heartbreak and frustration.

“I am just disgusted that I have to deal with this on graduation and see one of my greatest friends be taken away for no reason,” a classmate who asked to remain anonymous said. “I just pray that we can make a difference because this is so depressing.”

According to a press release from the Massachusetts Teachers Association, more than 200 Milford educators joined nearly 1,100 community members at the rally, condemning ICE’s actions and calling for Marcelo’s immediate release after he was ripped from his community “in an act of cruelty.”

“Milford educators believe every student – regardless of race, background, or ZIP code – deserves the right to succeed in their academics and extracurriculars and be safe,” the release read. “Our students are more than just an immigration status. They are teammates heading to practice, musicians and artists creating beauty, scholars striving for excellence, engineers on the robotics team building the future, and student government leaders shaping their schools and community.”

“The Milford student detained yesterday should have been on the court with his team, not in the custody of federal agents,” the release continued. “When even one of our students is targeted, the entire Milford community feels it.”

Nick Molinari, president of the Milford Teachers Association, said the student, who should have been at a volleyball practice with his teammates, was targeted by ICE agents in “a deliberate act of cruelty, traumatizing his family, friends, and peers.”

“This is immoral, unnecessary and should be universally condemned. We will not stand by while the rights and humanity of our students are violated,” Molinari said in a statement. “The Milford Teachers Association proudly stands with its students and the residents of Milford in opposing this dangerous shift in operations. We are committed to defending every student’s right to learn, grow, and be treated with dignity – no matter where they come from.”

The message from the Milford community is clear: they want Marcelo free. NBC10 reached out to ICE agents for comment but has not yet received a response.

Texas A&M track and field made its final return to E.B. Cushing Stadium this season for the NCAA Outdoor West First Round of the Championship on May 28-31.

The No. 2 women and No. 4 men both punched 12 tickets each to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon, at the iconic Hayward Field.

Junior Jaiya Covington — the current NCAA Indoor 60-meter hurdles champion — booked her ticket in the women’s 100m hurdles quarter final after winning her heat in 12.87 seconds, which was only 0.1 off her personal best and a season best NCAA No. 4 mark. The junior heads to her third-straight nationals with the qualification and is one of the eight individual women headed to Eugene to represent the Maroon and White.

“It feels great,” Covington said. “I’m very blessed to come out here and run as fast as I can and to the best of my abilities. I feel confident going into nationals, Oregon is a great stadium to run fast so I’m excited.”

Covington’s mark on the track wasn’t the only race to attract a large crowd as both the women’s and men’s 4x400m relay wrapped up each final day for the teams. 

Senior Kennedy Wade, senior Jaydan Wood, junior Camryn Dickson and junior Jasmine Montgomery ran a nail-biting relay where BYU fought until the very end, but the Aggies ended up on top in heat three with a 3:27.67 mark and an overall third-place finish to punch their ticket to NCAA’s. 

Senior Hossam Hatib, senior Cutler Zamzow, senior Kimar Farquharson and redshirt senior Auhmad Robinson earned their spot for the men in the same event, with Robinson anchoring the final leg to secure their spot in Eugene. The 3:02.57 time placed the men in fifth overall, bringing the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Championship team one step closer to another gold at Hayward. 

Junior Alexsandr Solovev — Southeastern Conference Outdoor 2025 pole vault gold medalist — was the first Aggie to secure their ticket to Eugene on Day 1 of the competition. Solovev currently holds the No. 1 vault in the NCAA for this season with a 5.72 meter clearance from his SEC performance and the junior smoothly cleared 5.42 meters to win the west regional qualifier.

The remaining spots were earned on the final day of men’s competition, beginning with the 4x100m relay. Senior Mason Mangum, freshman Ernest Campbell, senior Ja’Qualon Scott and Robinson ran to place third in heat one for an automatic NCAA qualification, finishing fourth overall with a time of 38.96. Campbell ran the men’s 100m dash quarter final later that day in 10.02 seconds, booking his ticket with a fourth-place finish in his heat to earn fifth overall.

Senior Cooper Cawthra placed third in heat one and overall in the men’s 1,500m distance event, earning automatic qualification for nationals with a time of 3:40.15. The men’s 3,000m steeplechase followed and junior Victor Kibiego punched the next distance ticket after finishing second in heat one to place seventh overall in 8:32.83 minutes.

After winning both of the first rounds on Day 1, Scott earned nationals spots in both the men’s 110m and 400m hurdles. Scott won heat two and finished second overall in the 110m hurdles with an all-conditions 13.16 second finish. He returned later that evening to mirror his performance in the 400m hurdles with another win in his heat and a second overall finish in 48.87 seconds. Senior Bryce McCray wrapped up the hurdle group qualifications in the 400m, finishing third in his heat and sixth overall with a time of 49.56 seconds.

The Aggies claimed the most spots in the men’s 400m quarter final, with three athletes headed to Eugene. Robinson ran first, crossing second in heat two and finishing fourth overall in 45.57 seconds. Hatib and Zamzow both ran in heat three to finish third and fourth in 45.85 and 45.93 seconds, respectively, to book their tickets to TrackTown USA.

Senior Sam Whitmarsh — the multi-gold conference title holder in the men’s 800m — held a strong lead throughout the two lap race to finish second overall in a time of 1:46.68, to return to Oregon for the third time in his career.

The men’s team wrapped up on Day 3, but the women were just getting started on the final day of competition. 

“The girls team feels great and fired up,” Covington said. “Our boys killed it Day 1 and Day 2. I think we’re piggybacking off of them, and having their drive and motivation for us, it makes us go harder.”

Junior Winny Bii kicked off that motivation on the morning of the fourth day, topping the rankings in the first round of triple jump. Bii leapt to her farthest mark in her fourth and final attempt, landing a wind-aided 14 meters.

Sophomore Jasmine Harmon made her women’s 4x100m relay debut one to remember with Dickson, senior Bria Bullard and Montgomery. The team sprinted a 43.12 second-finish to take fourth overall, claiming one of the 12 national spots.

Freshman Debora Cherono kicked off the women’s distance in the 3,000m steeplechase, running a personal-best and school record in a time of 9:42.55 to finish second in heat one and third overall. Sophomore Kennady Fontenot ran to fourth in the same heat, and her 9:58.13 mark was fast enough to add her to the NCAA roster. 

Montgomery and Dickson both punched tickets in the women’s 100m dash, finishing second and fourth in their respective heats. Montgomery ran a personal-best 11.02 time to finish fourth overall, and Dickson ran the 11.17 cut-off time for an 11th overall finish. The duo struck again later that evening in the 200m, with Montgomery topping her heat in 22.26 seconds for second overall and Dickson third in her heat in 22.69 seconds for ninth overall to both qualify for nationals.

Wood ran a 51.88 mark for third in her heat to appoint herself the fourth A&M 400m runner to earn a spot in the NCAA championship. 

Freshman Sofia Yakushina did not compete at this weekend’s regionals, as the Aggie’s star women’s heptathlon performer punched her ticket to NCAA’s due to finishing at the top of the national leaderboard rankings, making her the 24th and final qualification of the weekend.

The women will send a team of eight individuals and two relay teams for their eight event qualifications, and the men will send a team of 10 individuals and two relay teams for their 10 event qualifications to the championships.

The Aggies will hit the road for the final time this season on June 11-14 for the NCAA Outdoor Championships at the track capital of the world, Hayward Field, in Eugene, Oregon. 

Deep playoff runs used to be the norm for Sandburg boys volleyball.

The Eagles have four state titles and eight state trophies, but came into this season without a sectional title since 2016.

First-year coach Madisen Babich wants Sandburg to own the postseason again.

“Our senior group wanted to do better than last season,” Babich said after a 25-19, 25-18 win over Reavis in the Hinsdale Central Sectional semifinals on May 31. “We want to get Sandburg volleyball back on the map. As coaches, we want to keep the gas pedal all the way down. Mentally and physically, we want to push them, and it’s good to have change.”

It has been for the Eagles.

“We have a new coaching staff and an entirely new culture,” said Sandburg senior outside hitter Jeremiah Aro, who had a match-high 11 kills and two aces against Reavis. “They held us accountable. We just shut up and work.”

It’s the first time that Sandburg (35-4) has played for a sectional championship since 2017.

Facing upstart Reavis (31-3), which was making its first sectional appearance in 14 seasons, the Eagles found their groove at the end of the first set and kept it up the rest of the way.

The first set was tied at every point through 11-11 and 17 times through 18-18. That’s when senior middle hitter Will Ashum put down a kill to start a 7-1 spurt. Junior setter Easton Donausky (30 assists) and senior outside hitter Arron Dennie (seven kills) were also big for Sandburg.

JT Snider, a senior outside hitter who finished with six kills, had a pair of kills to open the second set as the Eagles jumped out to a 7-2 lead and led the whole way.

“I thought JT played better than I did today; he’s a leader,” Aro said. “But it’s an entire collective, and we just came together.” 

With a trio of players at 6-foot-6 or taller, the Eagles’ height helped, too. Senior outside hitter Pawel Greczek had a team-high eight kills for the Rams.

“It was a really weird game,” Reavis coach Mike Jebens said of the opening set. “Neither team could settle in and get the momentum. But then their height got to us. Against Brother Rice (on Thursday), we felt big, and against Sandburg, we felt small. Their height got us.”

Still, the Rams shattered the school record for wins (the previous mark was 25, set in 2023) and had a special, senior-dominated season.

“I’ll never coach a group like this again,” Jebens said of his nine seniors. “These guys had an edge. They were a bunch of hard-nosed guys, and I’ll miss them.”

The Rams advanced with a dominant 25-18, 25-15 victory over Brother Rice on May 29 in the title match of the Reavis Regional.

Greczek (nine kills, three digs) and senior Joey Walus (five kills, three blocks, three aces) at outside hitter, plus seniors Brandon Wilke (six kills, three blocks) in the middle, and Krystian Paluch (18 digs) at libero, along with junior setter Skylar O’Neill (20 assists) came up big.

Junior middle blocker Ben Adamski led Brother Rice (30-8) with five kills and two blocks. But the Mikrut twins, seniors John and Zach, were held to a pair of kills each.

In the opening sectional match, Lyons — which had advanced to state the previous two seasons — fell 25-19, 23-25, 26-24 to Oak Park-River Forest in a rematch of last season’s sectional final.

The Lions (29-9) fought off a pair of match points in the third set on a kill and an ace by junior outside hitter Brody Lee-Caracci. But the Huskies scored the next two points to advance.

“We were down 10-5 in the second set and battled back to take it,” Lyons coach Brad Skendzel said. “Then we had a couple of errors in the third set that led to a run. At this level, we knew that it was going to be tough and give OP-RF credit.”

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