A high school athlete’s remarkable achievements have ignited a passionate debate over the participation of transgender athletes in girls’ sports. AB Hernandez, a transgender teen at Jurupa Valley High School in California, recently shattered the girls’ triple jump record at the Ontario Relays, setting off an intense discussion about fairness and equality in sports. Hernandez, a biological male, not only dominated the triple jump, but also swept the high jump and long jump events, showcasing her strength and skill.

Hernandez’s performance at the Ontario Relays was nothing short of extraordinary. In the triple jump, she leaped over 40 feet, a distance more than eight feet further than the second-place finisher. But her dominance didn’t end there—she also clinched first place in the high jump with a height of 4 feet 10 inches, and in the long jump, where she reached a distance of 17 feet 6 inches. Her achievements were followed by another impressive victory at the Roosevelt Invitational in early March, where she again claimed the top spots in both the triple jump and long jump, finishing far ahead of her competitors.

Despite her undeniable talent, Hernandez’s victories have sparked a fierce backlash, particularly on social media, where critics argue that transgender athletes may have an unfair advantage in certain sports. Many point to the physical advantages that Hernandez, as a biological male, may have over her female competitors, especially in events that require strength, power, and speed.

Kaitlynn Wheeler, a former competitive swimmer and outspoken critic of transgender athletes in women’s sports, voiced her disapproval on social media, calling Hernandez’s performance “outrageous.” Wheeler, who advocates for maintaining separate competitions for women’s and men’s sports, accused Hernandez of unfairly taking opportunities from biological females. “This isn’t fairness… It’s theft!” Wheeler tweeted, adding that “women’s sports belong to women.” Other critics echoed these sentiments, calling Hernandez’s record-breaking achievements a direct insult to women in sports, with some even questioning how much longer female athletes would have to compete against transgender individuals.

In the midst of this online uproar, some pointed out the contrast between Hernandez’s achievements in girls’ events and the performance standards in the boys’ division. The California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) sets the qualifying standard for the boys’ triple jump at 45 feet 10.5 inches, a distance Hernandez has yet to surpass. Critics highlighted this difference to argue that Hernandez’s success in the girls’ division is not a fair representation of her athletic abilities compared to boys’ standards.

Yet, the debate extends beyond social media and into the political sphere. Across the U.S., lawmakers continue to grapple with the issue of transgender participation in high school sports. Just days after Hernandez’s record-breaking performance, a federal bill aimed at banning transgender women and girls from participating in school sports was blocked in the Senate. The proposed legislation sought to define eligibility based on reproductive biology and genetics at birth, a stance that critics argue would unfairly discriminate against transgender athletes. Proponents of the bill believe it is necessary to preserve the integrity of women’s sports and ensure a level playing field for all competitors.

Opponents of such bans, including LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights organizations, argue that transgender athletes should be protected under Title IX, a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs, including sports. These groups believe that transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in accordance with their gender identity to ensure fairness and inclusion. With no federal law currently in place, individual states are now left to decide whether or not they will implement policies to regulate transgender participation in school sports.

For Hernandez, her victories have become a stepping stone toward even greater goals. The teenager has openly stated her hopes of achieving a 41-foot mark in the triple jump and competing at the state championships, where she believes she has a strong chance of winning. Her ambition, paired with her undeniable talent, continues to fuel the ongoing debate over transgender athletes in sports. Whether supporters or critics, both sides of the argument agree on one thing: Hernandez’s success is raising important questions about fairness, competition, and inclusion in high school athletics.

As the debate rages on, Hernandez’s rise in high school track and field only highlights the complexity of the issue at hand, one that will likely continue to evolve as more transgender athletes make their mark in sports across the nation.