California Girls' Track Championship Alters Rules Amid Trans Athlete Controversy and Trump’s Push

California's high school sports scene is sprinting through a storm of controversy, with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) rolling out major rule changes for the girls' track and field state championship. For the second day in a row, the CIF has tweaked its policies, this time expanding the competitor pool and medal recipients in long jump, high jump, and triple jump to ensure no female athlete is sidelined by a biological male competitor.

The decision follows intense pressure from both local families and President Donald Trump’s administration, sparked by the participation of trans athlete AB Hernandez from Jurupa Valley High School. Hernandez has been dominating events like long jump and triple jump, igniting a firestorm of debate about fairness in girls' sports. The CIF's latest move guarantees that any female athlete displaced by a biological male in qualifying rounds will still advance to finals and, if applicable, receive podium medals.

This controversy isn’t just about one athlete—it’s a cultural flashpoint. Families like that of La Canada’s Katie McGuinness argue the CIF’s fixes don’t go far enough, calling the setup unfair and unjust. Meanwhile, Trump has threatened federal funding cuts and even local intervention to halt trans athletes’ participation in girls' categories. The U.S. Department of Justice has jumped in, launching an investigation into the CIF and California’s laws allowing trans athletes to compete based on gender identity.

Athletes are speaking out too. Reese Hogan, who took second to Hernandez in a recent triple jump, made waves by briefly claiming the first-place podium for a symbolic photo. She told reporters it’s sad to watch the advantages in play. On the flip side, Brea Olinda’s Julia Teven, who tied for first in high jump, suggested Hernandez is simply taking an opportunity enabled by CIF’s policies.

As California grapples with balancing inclusion and fairness, the track is more than a field of competition—it’s a battleground for broader societal questions. With the championship looming, all eyes are on how these changes will play out.