Trans teen athlete AB Hernandez ‘crushed’ she may have to share podium with opponent

Trans teen athlete AB Hernandez. (Image: Kirby Lee/Getty Images)

California trans high school athlete AB Hernandez is said to be “crushed” that she has to share the podium at an upcoming track meet if a cis girl places behind her.

She will compete at the CIF State Track and Field Championships under the federation’s “pilot entry program”, a policy that can add extra qualifying spots and award additional medals to cis girls if she places ahead of them.

The CIF State High School Track and Field Championships open on 29 May, and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is using the pilot entry programme for a second year.

Under the policy, if she qualifies for an event, another cis girl who would otherwise fall below the cut line can also qualify.

In an interview with KQED, Hernandez’s mother, Nereyda Hernandez, said learning the rule would extend to the state qualifying process this year “crushed AB’s heart”.

She added: “They had only mentioned it was going to be for the [2025] championships,” adding: “We didn’t think we’d have to deal with it again.”

How the ‘pilot entry’ policy works

CIF first introduced the pilot entry process shortly before the 2025 state meet. At that championships, Hernandez jumped two feet further than the second-place girl in triple jump and had to share the first-place podium, as per Out Sports.

The policy was reportedly put in place three days before the 2025 state meet after rising pressure from anti-trans figures. Even Donald Trump spoke of Hernandez‘s participation.

Spotlight on trans school sport

Hernandez, a track and field athlete at Jurupa Valley High School, has drawn national attention amid debates over trans inclusion in girls’ sport. Her mum has also faced protests around competitions, saying: “She’s doing nothing wrong”.

Trans participation policies in US school sport vary widely by state and governing body, and high school state championships can be pivotal for scholarships and recruitment, making eligibility and scoring rules especially consequential for student-athletes.

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