Controversial Podium Protest Sparks National Debate

A dramatic moment at the CIF Southern Section Finals in California has reignited the debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports. On May 18, Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School took an unexpected stand after finishing second in the triple jump. Hogan climbed onto the first-place podium after the ceremony — a spot left empty when transgender athlete AB Hernandez, who won the event, exited.

Trans Athlete Wins, Protest Follows

Hernandez, a biologically male athlete from Jurupa Valley High School who identifies as female, won the triple jump with a dominant leap of 41 feet, 4 inches — more than four feet ahead of Hogan. Hernandez also claimed victory in the long jump and placed seventh in the high jump, qualifying for the CIF Masters Meet.

Online Reactions and Political Echoes

The protest was caught on camera and quickly went viral. Jennifer Sey, founder of the advocacy group XX-XY, wrote, “This guy won the girls long jump and triple jump in a CA track meet over the weekend… He’s really crushing it!”

The incident adds fuel to an already heated national debate. Critics argue that allowing transgender athletes in women’s sports creates an uneven playing field. Supporters see it as a matter of inclusion and civil rights.