California law allows trans students to compete on sex-segregated sports teams consistent with their gender identity.
The federation said the rule opens the field to more “biological female” athletes. One expert said the change may itself be discriminatory because it creates an extra spot for “biological female” athletes but not for other trans athletes.
The federation did not specify how it defines “biological female” or how it would verify whether a competitor meets that definition.
Sophia Lorey, outreach director with California Family Council, was among those at the stadium Saturday. She said the federation’s policy is not a fix for the issue and only ends up causing more confusion.
“At the end of the day,” Lorey said, “it shows the girls that we know this is wrong and we’re still letting it happen to you.”
Hernandez told the publication Capital & Main this month that she cannot worry about critics.
“I’m still a child, you’re an adult, and for you to act like a child shows how you are as a person,” she said.
Other students break records
California’s championship stands out from that of other states because of the sheer number of competitors. The state had the second-largest number of students participating in outdoor track and field in the nation during the 2023-2024 school year, behind Texas, according to a survey by the National Federation of State High School Associations.
The boys 100-meter heats also were a highlight, with junior Jaden Jefferson of De La Salle High School in Concord finishing in 10.01 seconds Friday, 0.19 seconds faster than a meet record set in 2023. But he fell just shy of making it count as a meet record with a final time of 10.27 seconds in Saturday’s final.
Athletes set new meet records in several events, including boys and girls relay races, hurdle competitions and the boys pole vault.
Associated Press writer Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed to this report.
