Latest news with #CIFStateTrackandField
San Francisco Chronicle
7 days ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area's top qualifiers, storylines at CIF State Track and Field championships
Last season four Metro-area individuals and Pittsburg's 4x100 boys relay team won CIF State Track and Field championships. The year before, there was only one local champion — De La Salle-Concord high jumper Chukwunonso Udeh (now at Cal) won the long jump — and in 2022 three Bay Area girls won state titles: Dublin pole vaulter Jathiyah Muhammad, Los Gatos high jumper Hannah Slover and Montgomery-Santa Rosa 3,200-meter runner Hanne Thomsen. Pittsburg boys senior pole vaulter Khaliq Muhammad: His 17 feet, 1 inch vault not only won him his third North Coast Section Meet of Champions' title on Saturday, but it set a new meet record. His mark is 6 inches better than the field, though defending champion Kai Anderson, of University City-San Diego, is in the mix. Muhammad's sister Jathiyah won her second state title last season, when Khaliq placed second. 'I expect myself to break records and win titles because I've been training at this for 12 years,' Khaliq said. 'Everything is consistent with me now. I've hit 17 feet three meets in a row. Hopefully I can make it four.' Menlo School-Atherton boys senior 3,200 runner Landon Pretre: It's been a steady rise for Pretre, who qualified but did not finish as a freshman in state finals. As a sophomore he ran on the 4x800 relay at state (Menlo placed second) and last year he finished seventh in the 3,200. His winning 8:48.57 Central Coast Section title time last week at cool and blustery Gilroy High was more than a second faster than the runner-up, Piedmont Hills-San Jose senior Yosef Berhan (8:49.65), who is the No. 2 qualifier. De La Salle boys junior sprinter Jaden Jefferson: After placing fourth in the 100 last year in 10.49 seconds, the North Carolina football recruit put together his best performance last week as a prep, winning the NCS MOC 100 in a section-record 10.30 — the state's top qualifying mark — and taking the 200 going away in another PR of 21.11, which ranks fourth. His second leg in the 4x100 relay will be key for the Spartans to place. Their second-place 41.20 time ranks fifth going in. St. Mary's-Berkeley girls junior triple jumper Kira Gant Hatcher: She won by almost a foot at NCS MOC, but her top qualifying mark of 40 feet, 10½ inches was aided by a 4.5 meters-per-second wind. The wind was in her face while winning the long jump at 19-4¾, which ranks second heading into the meet. More storylines • Stanford-bound distance runner Thomsen ranks sixth in the 1,600 (4:47.25) and fifth in the 3,200 (10:19.56), but she was just cruising en route to two of her five NCS MOC titles last week. After winning the state 3,200 as a freshman, she was injured as a sophomore (at Arcada she PR'd in the 3,200 at 9:55.31) and placed second in the 3,200 last season to Eastlake-San Diego's Jaelyn Williams, who is back to defend her title. • St. Ignatius juniors Ellie McCuskey-Hay and Prince Babalola-Buchango could win up to five medals. McCuskey-Hay was the state runner-up in the 100 as a freshman and could challenge again for a gold medal. Babalola-Buchango probably won't be shooting for first, but is looking to final in the 100, 200 and 110 hurdles. • De La Salle's run for a state title is filled with drama and inspiration after losing head coach John Harvey, who died unexpectedly on April 28 due to a respiratory ailment. The Spartans have athletes scattered all over the board, including NCS champions Anthony Dean (triple jump), Trey Caldwell (3,200) and Chase Young (110 hurdles). • Sacred Heart Cathedral 1,600 boys standout Miles Cook has a qualifying time of 4:10.09 but his 4:08.33 mark last season is the fastest in San Francisco prep history. The Cal Poly-bound senior may not win a state title — CCS rivals Benjamin Bouie (Crystal Springs-Hillsborough) and Aydon Stefanopoulos (Los Gatos) have faster times — but he's made an indelible mark on the SHC program and region. 'He's a better person than he is a runner, which is obviously saying a lot,' Irish coach Andy Chan said.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Trump threatens to cut California's federal funding over transgender athlete controversy
The Brief AB Hernandez, an openly transgender junior from Jurupa Valley High School, is set to compete at the CIF State Track and Field meet. Her participation has sparked controversy, with the Chino Valley Unified School District board president and President Donald Trump opposing her. Hernandez has achieved significant success, including top state rankings in triple jump and long jump, despite the ongoing debate. RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. - AB Hernandez, a junior at Jurupa Valley High School, is preparing to compete as the only openly transgender athlete at the CIF State Track and Field meet this weekend. Despite her athletic success, including top state rankings in the triple jump and long jump, her participation has become a focal point of controversy. The president of the Chino Valley Unified School District board, a state Assembly member, and President Donald Trump have all voiced opposition, with Trump even threatening to withhold federal funding from California over the issue. A new CIF policy was revealed Tuesday, stating biological female student athletes won't be displaced in field events while still allowing transgender athletes to compete and medal. What we know Hernandez is set to compete in the CIF State Track and Field meet on Friday and Saturday at Buchanan High School in Clovis. She is currently ranked No. 1 in California for the triple jump and No. 2 in the long jump by Hernandez previously won the girls invitational portion of the Mt. SAC Relays in April and the CIF Southern Section Division 3 titles in the long jump and triple jump in May. She also qualified for the CIF State meet in both the triple jump and long jump after finishing first in both events at the Masters Meet. SUGGESTED: Redlands Unified school board votes in favor of rule targeting transgender athletes Her participation in girls' high school track and field has drawn significant opposition from Sonja Shaw, the president of the Chino Valley Unified School District, who has been attending meets to protest Hernandez's involvement. Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez, a Republican, introduced Assembly Bill 89 in January, which aimed to ban biological males from competing in girls sports within the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), but the bill failed in committee on April 2. President Donald Trump posted on social media Tuesday, threatening to withhold federal funding from California if transgender athletes are allowed to compete in girls sports and called on local authorities to prevent Hernandez from competing in the CIF State meet. Dig deeper The new CIF policy, which officials said was decided prior to Trump's post on Tuesday, states that biological female student athletes won't be displaced in field events while still allowing transgender athletes to compete and medal. "CIF's proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness - a model worth pursuing," said Izzy Gardon, director of communications. What they're saying Hernandez addressed the controversy, stating, "I leave the controversy out at the meet. I just relax and... do what I can do, hone in, and leave it all out on the (field) and just focus. Do what I can do and just leave the controversy out." Sonja Shaw, president of the Chino Valley Unified School District, expressed her strong opposition: "We will keep fighting, and our girls will win. Our district has already sent a letter to President Trump asking him to intervene because one daughter hurt is one too many. This is the hill we are willing to die on, and we are not standing alone. I will continue to file claims with the Office of Civil Rights, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Education. Advocates for Faith & Freedom already has a lawsuit in motion, and California Family Council has launched a petition." Shaw also publicly tore up a cease-and-desist letter from Hernandez's mother, stating, "I ripped up the cease-and-desist letter in front of the board and I'd do it again. That letter was nothing more than an intimidation tactic designed to silence truth and protect an agenda that's hurting our girls. I'm not here to cower to threats or political theater. I'm here to stand for reality, fairness, and the rights of young women who are being erased in real time." SUGGESTED: CA lawmakers introduce bill protecting girls from trans athletes after state refuses to follow Trump's order President Trump, in his social media post, stated: "California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newsom, continues to ILLEGALLY allow MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN'S SPORTS.' This week a transitioned male athlete, at a major event, woneverything,' and is now qualified to compete in the State Finals' next weekend. As a male, he was a less than average competitor. As a female, this transitioned person is practically unbeatable. THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS. Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it isUNFAIR.' I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!" Nereyda Hernandez, AB's mother, expressed pride in her daughter: "I couldn't be any prouder regardless of all the noise. She's successful. She is first place, and it's her third year. I couldn't be any prouder." Daisy Gardner, a friend of the Hernandez family, highlighted the severity of some of the online backlash: "Some of the scariest people are coming out of the woodwork saying they wish harm on this family and this kid. I cannot tell you how impressive it has been to see a child compete and focus on her sport." Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez stated at a committee meeting that her bill "simply requires California Interscholastic Federation to align with federal policy ensuring that high school girls competitive sports are reserved for biological females. Let's be clear. It is not about hate, it is not about fear, and it's not about right-wing talking points. This is entirely about fairness, safety, and integrity in girls competitive high school athletics." SUGGESTED: Charlie Kirk discusses conversation with Newsom on trans athletes The backstory Hernandez has been a part of the Jurupa Valley High School track and field team for three years. In 2024, as a sophomore, she placed third in the triple jump at the CIF State Track and Field meet. She also played on the Jurupa Valley High School girls volleyball team in the fall, which reached the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division 8 girls volleyball playoffs. SUGGESTED: Debate over transgender athletes in California The controversy intensified after the CIF Southern Section finals on May 17, where Hernandez won the long jump and triple jump. Photos and videos of a competitor, Reese Hogan, stepping onto the first-place podium after Hernandez had stepped off, circulated online, drawing more attention and mixed reactions to Hernandez's participation. What's next Hernandez will compete in the CIF State Track and Field meet on Friday and Saturday, aiming for the top spot in her events. Meanwhile, the legal and political challenges surrounding transgender athletes in high school sports are expected to continue. SUGGESTED: Lawsuit filed after transgender athlete joins girl's cross country team The Source Information for this story is from FOX News and City News Service.
