California trans high school athlete AB Hernandez is competing at the CIF State Track and Field Championships under a pilot entry program. The policy can add extra qualifying spots and award additional medals to cis girls if Hernandez places ahead of them. The championships begin 29 May, and the program is being used for a second year. Under the policy, if Hernandez qualifies for an event, another cis girl who would otherwise miss the cut line can also qualify. Hernandez’s mother said learning the rule would extend to the state qualifying process crushed AB’s heart, noting the rule had previously been described as applying only to the 2025 championships. Hernandez previously had to share a podium at the 2025 meet after placing first in triple jump.
"California trans high school athlete AB Hernandez is said to be "crushed" that she has to share the podium at an upcoming track meet if a cis girl places behind her. She will compete at the CIF State Track and Field Championships under the federation's "pilot entry program", a policy that can add extra qualifying spots and award additional medals to cis girls if she places ahead of them."
"Under the policy, if she qualifies for an event, another cis girl who would otherwise fall below the cut line can also qualify. The CIF State High School Track and Field Championships open on 29 May, and the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) is using the pilot entry programme for a second year."
"In an interview with KQED, Hernandez's mother, Nereyda Hernandez, said learning the rule would extend to the state qualifying process this year "crushed AB's heart". She added: "They had only mentioned it was going to be for the [2025] championships," adding: "We didn't think we'd have to deal with it again.""
"CIF first introduced the pilot entry process shortly before the 2025 state meet. At that championships, Hernandez jumped two feet further than the second-place girl in triple jump and had to share the first-place podium, as per Out Sports. The policy was reportedly put in place three days before the 2025 state meet after rising pressure from anti-trans figures."
#transgender-inclusion-in-sports #high-school-athletics #cif-track-and-field #eligibility-and-qualifying-rules #california-school-sports-policy
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