A California high school track athlete was applauded after briefly posing on the first-place podium despite finishing second to a transgender competitor.
Reese Hogan, 16, from Crean Lutheran High School, stepped onto the top spot after the official ceremony at the CIF Southern Section Finals on Saturday had concluded.
Hogan had finished second in the triple jump to AB Hernandez, a junior transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School.
Her protest drew cheers from the crowd and has since gained significant attention on social media.
Reese Hogan, 16, from Crean Lutheran High School was applauded after briefly posing on the first-place podium
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Hogan set a new personal and school record in the triple jump with a distance of 37 feet, 2 inches.
Despite this achievement, she was defeated by Hernandez by more than four feet, according to Sports Illustrated.
Hernandez, who currently holds the top marks in the state's long jump and triple jump, also won the girls' long jump title at the same competition.
The victory qualifies Hernandez for the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet scheduled for 24 May.
This was not Hogan's first protest regarding transgender athletes in competitions.
On 10 May, she was among several female athletes who wore "Protect Girls Sports" T-shirts at the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Prelims at Yorba Linda High School.
Officials allegedly ordered the girls to remove the shirts immediately to compete. Hogan claimed officials implied they might be disqualified if they didn't comply.
"It wasn't said but it was implied that if I didn't take my shirt off then and there, then something could potentially happen to my spot," Hogan told Fox News.
The podium protest garnered praise from former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, who shared the video on social media platform X.
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Reese Hogan had set a school record before a transgender athlete broke it moments later by four feet
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Gaines wrote: "THIS is the way. Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!!!"
In a separate post, Gaines, who previously criticised transgender athlete Lia Thomas, called Hernandez a "fraud" and claimed the athlete was "enabled by @CIFSS, @CA_Dem, & @CAgovernor."
The incident highlights growing tensions between California and the Trump administration.
Since the T-shirt controversy, President Donald Trump's administration has "put California and Gov. Gavin Newsom on notice" according to Fox News.
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When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion. The crowd erupts with applause.
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) May 18, 2025
THIS is the way.
Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!!! https://t.co/KiEm2yV2YY pic.twitter.com/hqGdikES29
California continues to defy the president's executive order that aims to keep transgender athletes from competing in girls' and women's sports.
The California Interscholastic Federation is currently under a Title IX investigation related to these policies.
The state has maintained its position despite federal pressure to change course.
