California High School Track Meet Sparks Heated Debate Over Transgender Athlete Competing in Girls’ Sports

A Southern California high school track meet has become the latest battleground in a growing national debate over transgender athletes competing in girls’ sports, raising questions about fairness, policy, and gender identity.

At the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section Finals this past Saturday, a transgender athlete, who was assigned male at birth, claimed first place in both the triple jump and long jump events — edging out several female competitors. Among them was Katie McGuinness, a senior from La Canada High School, who finished second in the long jump.

In a candid interview on Fox News’ America Reports, McGuinness shared her feelings about the experience. “I ran down the runway, landed, and saw my mark measured at 18.9 meters,” she said. “That was it. I was honestly very discouraged. Winning CIF has been a dream of mine, and it felt unfair to compete against someone who is genetically different.”

McGuinness voiced a concern shared by many critics of trans inclusion policies: “There are certain genetic advantages that biological males have that biological girls don’t. Frankly, I just can’t stand for that.”

The tension surrounding the meet didn’t end there. Reese Hogan of Crean Lutheran High School, who finished second in the triple jump behind the trans athlete, made a symbolic gesture by standing on the first-place podium after the trans athlete stepped off. The moment quickly went viral on social media.

Hogan, who also competed against the athlete in the prelims, told Fox News Digital, “It’s sad to watch. He’s clearly a talented athlete, but I wish he’d compete in the boys’ division.” Hogan emphasized the physical advantages involved, adding, “No amount of training can overcome what a man’s body can naturally do.”

At a press conference during the prelims, Hogan wore a “Protect Girls Sports” shirt and stressed, “This isn’t about the athlete personally, it’s about fairness for girls competing in their own sports.”

The controversy has drawn national attention and put pressure on the CIF and California Governor Gavin Newsom. Just days before the finals, the U.S. Department of Education sent a warning to California after reports surfaced that CIF officials required competitors to remove their “Protect Girls Sports” shirts.

Julie Hartman, a spokesperson for the Department of Education, told Fox News Digital, “CIF’s decision to allow a male athlete to compete in a female track and field final—and the retaliation against girls protesting this—is indefensible.”

The CIF is currently under a federal Title IX investigation for its policies on transgender athlete inclusion. This probe began in February after President Donald Trump signed the executive order titled Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, which the CIF openly defied, becoming one of the first high school leagues to do so.

Governor Newsom has voiced his opinion on the matter as well, calling the participation of transgender athletes in girls’ sports “deeply unfair” during a podcast episode earlier this year. However, the state has not changed its 2014 law that allows transgender students to compete according to their gender identity.

Hartman added, “Gov. Newsom recently acknowledged the unfairness, but we continue to hold steadfast to protecting women’s civil rights. Our Office of Civil Rights investigation into CIF is ongoing and vigorous.”

The transgender athlete at the center of this controversy competes for Jurupa Valley High School. The Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD) responded to the Department of Education’s comments, stating:

“JUSD follows California law and CIF policies, which require students to compete on teams consistent with their gender identity, regardless of their birth gender. We are committed to protecting the rights and safety of all our students in accordance with state and federal law.”