People across the country are voicing strong reactions after a teenage transgender athlete shattered records in a high school girls’ track and field competition. AB Hernandez, a biological male who identifies as a transgender female, drew widespread attention after her impressive victories at the Ontario Relays, igniting further debate about the fairness of allowing transgender athletes to compete in girls’ sports—particularly in events that depend heavily on strength and explosive power.

Hernandez, a junior at Jurupa Valley High School in California, competed in the girls’ triple jump and left the competition far behind. Her winning leap reached over 40 feet—roughly the length of an adult whale shark—placing her firmly in first place. The runner-up’s best effort was 32 feet, making Hernandez’s victory margin a staggering eight feet. But that wasn’t the only event where she dominated.

She also took first place in the high jump with a leap of 4 feet, 10 inches, and soared 17 feet, 6 inches in the long jump—sweeping all three jumping events and establishing herself as a commanding presence in high school track and field.

Her winning streak didn’t end there. At the Roosevelt Invitational in early March, Hernandez once again earned top honors in both the triple jump and long jump. She finished nearly three feet ahead of her closest competitor in the triple jump and beat the long jump runner-up by two feet. Her continued success has made her a standout athlete with high aspirations.

In an interview following her 40-foot triple jump, Hernandez expressed her goals: “Hopefully, I hit a 41-footer this year if it’s possible. Preferably at state so that I can possibly win,” she said in February. “I just keep telling myself you are No.1 – it’s yours to lose.”

While Hernandez’s natural talent and hard work are evident, her achievements have reignited a polarizing discussion about the inclusion of transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Critics argue that biological males maintain physical advantages—even after transitioning—that may give them an edge in strength-based sports like sprinting, jumping, and throwing.

The reaction online was immediate and intense. Many social media users voiced outrage over what they see as an uneven playing field. Kaitlynn Wheeler, a former competitive swimmer from the University of Kentucky and a vocal opponent of transgender participation in women’s sports, posted on social media: “OUTRAGEOUS. A BOY in CA just crushed the GIRLS’ triple jump record by 8 feet! AB Hernandez, a MALE, also won the long jump and sprint medley relay & is on his way to the women’s state championship.”

Male high school track star who claims to be “transgender” set the Division 3 Girls’ triple jump meet record in SoCal a full 8 FEET ahead of the girl who came in second place.

AB Hernandez says he hopes to win first place in the state of California for the triple jump.… pic.twitter.com/J10vDOcIZQ

— Genevieve Gluck (@WomenReadWomen) March 4, 2025

Wheeler continued, “After stealing these titles, he had the audacity to say: ‘I just keep telling myself, you are number one.’ This isn’t fairness… It’s theft! We cannot stay silent. Women’s sports belong to women.”

Others echoed similar sentiments. One critic posted, “Male high school track star who claims to be ‘transgender’ set the Division 3 Girls’ triple jump meet record in SoCal… How much longer do women and girls have to be insulted this way?”

Another commented, “Unreal. AB Hernandez, a trans-identified boy, set the Division 3 Girls’ triple jump meet record at the Ontario Relays in SoCal… He also won the girls’ long jump and helped his team win the sprint medley relay. He says he hopes to win state—odds are certainly in his favor.”

On Facebook, one commenter sarcastically remarked, “Wow, what an accomplishment. I’m sure it had nothing to do with being a biological male.”

Another user added, “AB Hernandez is the dude who just set a new record for the ‘girls’ triple jump in CA…. The boys’ triple jump standard for CIF [California Interscholastic Federation] is over 45 feet,” referencing the boys’ qualifying mark of 45 feet 10.5 inches. Hernandez would not meet that benchmark if she were competing in the boys’ division based on biological sex.

The post concluded, “Mediocre men killing it in women’s sports. Total loser.”

However, the controversy over transgender athletes isn’t just happening online. It has become a hot-button issue across the nation, with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle battling over policy. The debate focuses on fairness, the rights of biological females, and whether inclusion comes at the expense of competitive integrity in girls’ sports.

Hernandez’s record-setting performances come at a time when tensions around this issue are intensifying. Just days after her standout results at the Ontario Relays, a federal bill seeking to prohibit transgender athletes from participating in school sports under their identified gender failed to advance in the U.S. Senate.

The proposed legislation aimed to define Title IX protections based on biological sex assigned at birth, asserting that fairness in girls’ athletics required such a standard. Proponents argued that without these protections, the intent of Title IX—which was originally passed to ensure equal opportunities for women in education and sports—was being undermined.

On the other hand, LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights organizations argue that the law should also apply to transgender students and athletes, ensuring they are not discriminated against. Without a nationwide mandate, the responsibility of regulating transgender participation in sports now falls to individual states. Some have moved swiftly to enact bans, while others continue to support inclusivity and equal opportunity for all students.

As this complex debate unfolds, AB Hernandez continues her climb in the world of high school athletics. Her future in track and field remains bright, even as her presence fuels one of the most divisive discussions in American sports today.

What’s your take on the inclusion of transgender athletes in girls’ sports? Should biological females be prioritized when it comes to fairness in competition, or should inclusion take precedence? Let us know your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this story to keep the conversation going.