Reese Hogan, a track athlete from Crean Lutheran High School in California, has indicated a potential repeat of her public protest against a transgender competitor. Hogan is slated to compete this weekend against AB Hernandez, a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School, in multiple jumping events, including the long jump, high jump, and triple jump. This confrontation follows similar incidents last year where Hogan, alongside other activists, has voiced opposition to the participation of transgender athletes in girls' sports.
The core of the conflict centers on Hogan's stated belief that the inclusion of transgender athletes in female sports constitutes "sex-based discrimination," a sentiment echoed by activist groups like 'Save Girls Sports'. Hogan has previously refused to share podium space with Hernandez, most notably after finishing second in a triple jump event last year, where Hernandez placed first. Hogan’s team mate, Olivia Viola, has also publicly stated her opposition, asserting her desire to "stand up for girls in girls sports" and criticizing governing bodies for their perceived lack of support for female athletes.
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PREVIOUS INCIDENTS AND LEGAL CHALLENGES
Similar protests have occurred in other states. In Oregon, track stars Alexa Anderson and Reese Eckard notably refused to stand on the podium at the Oregon State Athletic Association’s Girls High Jump Final in May 2025. Anderson, a senior at Tigard High School, finished third, while Eckard placed fourth. They stepped down from the podium and turned their backs in protest of competing against transgender athlete Lia Rose. Anderson has spoken about officials allegedly telling her to move away if she wouldn't participate in the ceremony.
These protests have led to legal actions. Anderson and Eckard, along with other Oregon athletes, have filed lawsuits against athletic associations, alleging violations of their rights to political speech. In one instance, Anderson claimed her medal was withheld for months until a lawsuit was filed. These legal battles underscore the contentious environment surrounding transgender participation in high school athletics, with courts beginning to weigh in on the nature of the speech involved in such protests.
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BROADER IMPLICATIONS AND ACTIVISM
The ongoing dispute involves accusations of officials, including California Governor Gavin Newsom, abandoning girls in sports. Hogan's actions and statements align with a broader activist movement advocating for stricter regulations on transgender athletes in women's sports, with some supporting federal mandates to ban their participation.
The debate highlights a perceived conflict between inclusion and fairness in sports. While athletes like Hogan and Anderson express concerns about competitive balance and the integrity of women's sports, the inclusion of transgender athletes is often framed as a matter of fundamental rights and anti-discrimination. This complex intersection of identity, competition, and policy continues to generate friction within high school athletic communities.
