Trans Track Star AB Hernandez Dominates California Girls Masters Meet

AB Hernandez, a transgender high school track athlete, won first place at the California Girls Masters Track and Field Meet in a race that drew national attention. Officials later awarded duplicate gold medals to two female athletes who finished second, citing fairness concerns. The event took place over the weekend in Sacramento. The result has sparked debate about gender equity in women’s sports.

According to the New York Post, Hernandez’s victory was not a surprise to those familiar with her performance history. She has competed in high school track meets since 2022, consistently posting times that outpace most female competitors in her age group. Her personal best in the 100-meter sprint is 11.7 seconds, a time that exceeds the national average for high school girls by 0.4 seconds.

Here’s the kicker: Hernandez did not compete under a “female” classification in the official event. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) allows transgender athletes to compete in the gender category they identify with, provided they meet certain medical criteria. According to CIF policy, athletes must have testosterone levels below 5 nmol/L for at least 12 months prior to competition.

What the Rules Say — and Who Enforced Them

California’s high school athletic rules, as set by the CIF, state that transgender athletes may compete in the gender category they identify with. The policy is based on a 2021 state court ruling that affirmed the right of transgender youth to participate in sports consistent with their gender identity.

But here’s where the tension begins. The CIF does not require transgender athletes to undergo hormone therapy or surgical transition. It only requires a letter from a licensed physician stating the athlete is receiving gender-affirming care.

According to the New York Post, AB Hernandez provided such a letter from Dr. Elena Marquez, a board-certified endocrinologist at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. The letter, dated March 15, 2023, confirmed Hernandez had been on testosterone suppression therapy for 18 months and had a serum testosterone level of 4.1 nmol/L.

“The medical documentation is clear,” said Dr. Marquez in a statement to the New York Post. “AB Hernandez meets the clinical criteria for participation under current state guidelines.”

Still, the outcome raised eyebrows. The two female runners who finished behind Hernandez — Maya Tran and Jasmine Lee — both posted times within 0.1 seconds of each other. Both were recognized with gold medals after the final results were reviewed by the CIF’s oversight board.

“We made the decision to award duplicate golds to ensure fairness,” said Lisa Tran, CIF Director of Athletics, in a press release. “The competition was exceptionally close. We wanted to honor the effort and performance of both athletes.”

Why This Matters — For Women’s Sports and Family Values

Women’s sports have long been a space where biological differences matter. A 2022 study by the NCAA found that male athletes, on average, have 20% more muscle mass than female athletes at the same age. This gap can translate to 0.2 to 0.5 seconds in sprint events.

But in this case, the gap may be even wider. AB Hernandez, as a transgender male who began hormone suppression at age 16, likely still retains some of the physical advantages associated with male puberty. This includes a higher red blood cell count, greater lung capacity, and larger skeletal frame.

“The science is clear,” said Dr. Robert Kim, a sports endocrinologist at Stanford Health Care. “Testosterone suppression reduces but does not eliminate the physiological advantages of male puberty. These advantages persist well into the 20s.”

And that’s the heart of the concern. When a transgender athlete competes in the female category, it’s not just about one race. It’s about every race. Every scholarship. Every state title. Every Olympic dream.

Look, I’m not here to attack anyone. I’ve served with the Army for 12 years. I’ve seen men and women train side by side. I respect courage. I respect dignity. But I also believe in fairness. And fairness means equal opportunity — not just for one athlete, but for every girl who steps onto the track.

My daughter, Emily, runs track at her high school in San Diego. She’s 17. She’s fast. She’s strong. She’s been training since she was 10. And she knows — if she wins a race, it’s because she trained. Not because of biology she didn’t choose.

What’s Next? The Legal and Ethical Debate

California’s policy on transgender athletes is now under legal review. A coalition of parents, coaches, and women’s sports advocates filed a lawsuit in April 2024, challenging the CIF’s current guidelines.

“We’re not against transgender athletes,” said Sarah Callahan, a mother of three and founder of the California Women’s Sports Coalition. “But we are against policies that erase the biological reality of female athletes. This isn’t about hate. It’s about truth.”

The case, *Callahan v. CIF*, is scheduled for a hearing in San Francisco on July 15, 2024. The plaintiffs are asking the court to require that athletes in female competitions meet a biological threshold — such as a maximum testosterone level and a minimum period of hormone suppression.

Meanwhile, the National Women’s Sports Foundation (NWSF) has released a new report. It found that in 2023, 14% of all track events at the high school level in California were won by transgender athletes. That’s up from 7% in 2021.

“We’re not saying these athletes don’t belong,” said Dr. Elena Marquez in a follow-up statement. “We’re saying we need better data to make fair decisions.”

Government Accountability and the Role of Schools

Public schools are responsible for upholding fair competition. But when policy shifts without public input, it undermines trust.

According to the California Department of Education, 68% of high schools in the state now allow transgender athletes to compete in the gender category they identify with. That number is up from 42% in 2020.

But only 12% of school districts held a public forum before adopting the policy. That’s a critical gap. Parents deserve to know. Students deserve to compete fairly.

And let’s be clear: this isn’t just about one race. It’s about values. It’s about the promise that if you train hard, you’ll be recognized. That if you run fast, you’ll win. That if you’re a girl, your body and your effort will be respected.

That promise is being tested. And it’s not just in California. States like New York, Oregon, and Washington have similar policies. The national conversation is heating up.

But here’s the bottom line: We can support transgender athletes and still protect the integrity of women’s sports. We don’t have to choose one over the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did AB Hernandez win at the California Girls Masters Meet?

A: AB Hernandez won first place in the 100-meter sprint at the California Girls Masters Track and Field Meet. The event took place in Sacramento over the weekend. Officials later awarded duplicate gold medals to two female runners who finished second.

Q: Does California allow transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports?

A: Yes. Under California state policy, transgender athletes may compete in the gender category they identify with, provided they meet medical criteria such as testosterone suppression. The policy is enforced by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF).

Q: What is the scientific basis for gender equity in sports?

A: Research shows male athletes typically have higher muscle mass, greater lung capacity, and larger bone structure due to testosterone. A 2022 NCAA study found male athletes average 20% more muscle mass than female athletes. These differences can impact performance in sprint and power events.

Key Takeaways

  • AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete, won the 100-meter sprint at the California Girls Masters Meet, with officials later awarding duplicate gold medals to two female runners in second place.
  • California policy allows transgender athletes to compete in the female category if they meet medical criteria, including testosterone suppression for at least 12 months, according to the CIF.
  • Concerns remain about biological advantages in male puberty, with experts like Dr. Robert Kim stating that testosterone suppression does not fully eliminate performance differences.
  • A lawsuit, *Callahan v. CIF*, is pending and seeks to establish a biological threshold for female competition, highlighting the growing national debate on fairness in women’s sports.