A Bold Stand Sparks National Outcry
A shocking moment at a California high school track meet has reignited fierce national debate. At the CIF Southern Section Finals, Reese Hogan from Crean Lutheran High School made headlines—not for winning, but for taking a stand.
Hogan Steps Up
Although she finished second in the triple jump, Hogan stepped onto the first-place podium. The official winner, AB Hernandez—a transgender athlete—had already exited. Hogan’s silent protest quickly went viral.
The Athlete at the Center
Hernandez, born male and now competing as female, dominated the triple jump with a leap of 41 feet, 4 inches—more than four feet ahead of Hogan. Hernandez, representing Jurupa Valley High School, also won the long jump and placed seventh in the high jump. She qualified for the CIF Masters Meet set for May 24.
Heated Reactions Online
The internet exploded.
Jennifer Sey, founder of advocacy group XX-XY, wrote:
“This guy won the girls long jump and triple jump… He’s really crushing it!”
Colin Rugg of Trending Politics added sarcastically:
“Wow, what an accomplishment. I’m sure it had nothing to do with being a biological male.”
Others chimed in with strong opinions:
“Second place is the real champion!”
“Good on her! This nonsense has to stop.”
“The weakest men compete with girls, the weakest minds celebrate it.”
Bigger Than One Event
This moment is part of a growing string of controversies involving transgender athletes in women’s sports. In 2022, North Carolina volleyball player Payton McNabb suffered a brain injury after a spike from a transgender opponent. The incident fueled legislation banning trans athletes from girls’ teams at all levels in the state.
A Divided Nation
Former President Donald Trump stepped in earlier this year. He signed an executive order banning transgender women from female sports.
“The war on women’s sports is over,” he said.
“My administration won’t watch men beat and batter female athletes during the LA Olympic Games.”
His move sparked backlash. Some states, like Maine, openly rejected the policy. Over 400 Olympic athletes even signed a letter urging the NCAA to avoid bans and support inclusion in sports.
Hernandez Responds
Hernandez dismissed the outrage as “ridiculous.” In an interview with Capital & Main, she said:
“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows who you are.”
“This proves your idiotic claims wrong… You have no proof I can’t be beat.”
Supporters backed her right to compete:
“She followed all the rules.”
“If you don’t like it, blame the rules, not her.”
“Trans girls are girls.”
What the Research Says
According to Capital & Main, studies show transgender athletes don’t consistently outperform cisgender peers. In some areas, they may even be at a disadvantage.
The Debate Rages On
This issue isn’t going away. With more states drafting bans and athletes speaking out on both sides, the future of women’s sports remains deeply contested.
Thanks to Reese Hogan’s silent protest, the conversation just got a lot louder.
