AB Hernandez, a junior from Jurupa Valley High School, shared the spotlight at the California high school championship, capturing first place in high jump and triple jump amid a heated political debate concerning transgender athletes. Facing threats of federal funding cuts from President Trump, event organizers altered rules shortly before the competition, allowing Hernandez to share her title. The event concluded with joyous moments between Hernandez and competitor Brooke White, who celebrated together on the podium, showing that camaraderie can transcend competition and controversy.
With President Donald Trump threatening to cut federal funding to the state if the trans girl competed, the event organizer changed the rules just days before the event.
The first awards came after the long jump, and that moment of recognition did not turn out to be awkward or contentious, as some people had feared.
Hernandez and the event's winner - Loren Webster of Wilson High School - both had leaped more than a foot farther than anyone else in the event.
For Hernandez, it was the celebration she had waited for after a week of enduring an intense spotlight.
#high-school-sports #transgender-athletes #california-championship #athletic-competitions #political-debate
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