Particle.news
Download on the App Store

CIF Reinstates Podium-Sharing After Trans Athlete Sweeps Southern Section Finals

CIF revived a policy naming the next finisher co-champion in events with a trans competitor.

Overview

  • AB Hernandez, 17, won the girls’ long jump, high jump and triple jump at the CIF Southern Section finals on Saturday in Moorpark.
  • The CIF, in a May 16 letter to parents, revived a pilot policy that names the next finisher co-champion and adds qualifying spots when a trans athlete competes.
  • Medal ceremonies followed the policy as announcers declared co-champions and officials handed duplicate gold medals to the girls who placed behind Hernandez.
  • Videos of the shared podiums spread widely online and drew criticism from figures like Reps. Tim Burchett and Nancy Mace and advocate Riley Gaines, while Newsom’s office defended inclusion under state law.
  • Hernandez and other winners now move to CIF preliminaries next Saturday with the state finals set for May 29 in Clovis as a federal Title IX lawsuit against California’s approach continues.