California Track Championship Rules Spark Outrage Over Transgender Athlete Controversy

The California high school track and field state championship is poised to be a historic showdown, but not for the usual reasons. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) has rolled out last-minute rule changes amid a firestorm over a transgender athlete competing in the girls’ category, sparking outrage among families of female competitors.

In a bid to address the controversy, the CIF announced Tuesday it would expand the championship field, allowing biological female athletes who narrowly missed qualifying due to a transgender athlete’s placement to compete. By Wednesday, they added another tweak: female athletes displaced from the medal podium by a transgender competitor would still be recognized. Yet, these changes haven’t quelled the frustration.

Reese Hogan, a star from Crean Lutheran, made headlines after finishing second to transgender athlete AB Hernandez in the triple jump at the Southern Sectional final on May 17. When Hogan stepped up to the first-place podium spot for a photo after Hernandez stepped down, the crowd erupted, and the moment went viral. But the CIF’s new rules won’t retroactively award her the gold. “The CIF’s changes admit a mistake, but they don’t go far enough,” Hogan said in a statement. “I would’ve won first if I hadn’t competed against a boy. This is about every girl’s right to fair competition.”

Other families echoed her discontent. Olivia Viola’s family from Crean Lutheran called the CIF’s pilot program a half-measure. “It’s a step, but it doesn’t fix the core issue—biological males competing with females violates Title IX and fairness,” they stated. Similarly, Katie McGuinness’s family from La Canada High School praised external pressure, including from President Donald Trump, who threatened funding cuts over the issue, but called the CIF’s response inadequate. “It’s still unfair competition,” they said.

The timing of the rule changes raises eyebrows—coming hours after Trump’s Truth Social post and a Department of Justice investigation announcement targeting the CIF and California’s policies on transgender athletes. Families and athletes argue the state’s approach sidesteps the deeper issue: ensuring a level playing field for female competitors.