**Trans Athlete Shares Championship Podium in California State Track and Field Meet**

In the midst of an intense political debate, AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School in Riverside County, emerged victorious at the prestigious California high school track and field championships. Hernandez shared first place in the high jump and triple jump events and clinched a shared second place in the long jump, marking a groundbreaking moment in the sport's history.

Hernandez's participation came with its complexities, especially after President Trump threatened to cut federal funding if the trans girl competed in the event. As a result, the event organizers swiftly altered the rules just days before the meet. The compromise allowed Hernandez to compete, but her placements were shared with the athletes who finished immediately behind her, in an attempt to address fairness concerns.

The atmosphere during the first awards ceremony, following the long jump event, defied expectations of tension. Hernandez and Brooke White of River City High School, who shared the second-place podium, displayed a remarkable camaraderie. The two athletes exchanged an enthusiastic double-handed high-five and squeezed onto one step of the podium together, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship. They posed for photos with their medals, smiling and supporting each other.

In the long jump event, Hernandez and Loren Webster of Wilson High School outperformed the competition by leaping more than a foot farther than other participants. For Webster, this victory marked a back-to-back state title before she continues her athletic journey at the University of Oregon.

Hernandez's performance and the subsequent modifications to the competition rules highlighted the ongoing discussions around transgender athletes in sports. Despite the challenges, the event concluded on a positive note, showcasing the resilience and sportsmanship of young athletes.