High school female track star poses on first-place podium after finishing second to trans athlete

On social media, many viewers stunned as high school female track star Reese Hogan takes stand on podium after loss to trans athlete.

Reese Hogan’s podium stance spotlights tension in girls’ sports
On the X platform, user @Riley_Gaines_ shared a video showing Reese Hogan’s podium stance after finishing second. The moment has sparked debate about rising tensions in girls’ high school sports.

A California high school female track star made headlines for an act of quiet protest. Sixteen-year-old Reese Hogan finished second in the triple jump on May 18. Despite losing to a transgender competitor, she climbed the first-place podium to pose proudly.

The moment came during the CIF Southern Section Finals at Moorpark High School. Hogan’s personal best of 37 feet, 2 inches broke her school’s record at Crean Lutheran.

Trans athlete won two events
Trans athlete AB Hernandez won two events but reese hogan claimed symbolic victory for female competitors.

Junior AB Hernandez of Jurupa Valley High School took home first in the girls’ long and triple jump. Hernandez defeated Hogan by more than four feet, Sports Illustrated reported. But after Hernandez stepped off the podium, Hogan stood in the first-place spot. She smiled and posed for pictures, receiving applause from the crowd in attendance.

The gesture quickly went viral and sparked widespread support online.

Conservatives hail Hogan as ‘real champ’ amid gender sports debate
The footage showed former NCAA swimmer and activist Riley Gaines praised Hogan’s podium action.

Reese Hogan stood on the 1st-place podium after losing to a trans athlete, calling herself “real champ.” Image Credits: @Riley_Gaines_/X

“When the boy got off the podium, she assumed her rightful spot as champion. The crowd erupts with applause,” Gaines posted on X.

“THIS is the way. Congrats to Reese Hogan, the REAL champ!!!”

Gaines continued, calling Hogan “the REAL champ,” while criticizing Hernandez as a “fraud.”

She accused sports officials and California leadership of enabling unfair competition in girls’ sports.

Social media reaction
The footage showed High school female track star poses on first-place podium after finishing second to trans athlete quickly went viral and sparked debate among viewers.

Many criticized the participation of the trans athlete, arguing it was unfair to other competitors.

One person said: She is the true winner. Congratulations.
A second wrote: Congratulations Reese. You are strong, determined & brave.
While a third commented: Congratulations Reese for winning the GIRLS event. You are the TRUE winner
Another added: She won , 1st place cheated . Congratulations young lady .
She is the real winner! Someone else said.
Another user wrote: Congratulations Reese Hogan for winning 1st place! You are the true champion in our eyes!

Female athletes wore ‘protect girls sports’ shirts in protest

Riley Gaines praised Hogan’s podium protest, calling Hernandez a “fraud” and slamming officials. Image Credits: @Riley_Gaines_/X

Previously, Hogan and other female athletes protested gender policy at a May 10 prelim event.

They wore “Protect Girls Sports” shirts at Yorba Linda High School in Orange County. Additionally, Hogan claimed officials pressured them to remove the shirts or face disqualification.

“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, it wasn’t said but it was implied,” Hogan said.

“Throughout the day it was kind of getting a little bit more stricter … getting a little bit more hostile with their voices … they never said anything about getting disqualified, but it was kind of implied by the tone of their voice and the way that they said things.”

Athletes claim they were supervised and pressured to comply immediately, without private accommodations. Officials never explicitly said disqualification was certain, but implied it through tone and urgency.

Officials targeted gender message shirts only
CIF confirmed it instructed athletes to wear official school uniforms under playoff regulations. “The athletes were asked to comply while on the field,” CIF said in a statement.

However, spectators alleged other non-uniform shirts were allowed without similar consequences.
No athletes wore protest shirts during the May 18 finals, according to reports.

Hernandez remains the top-ranked athlete in California’s girls’ triple and long jump. The trans athlete now qualifies for the CIF Southern Section Masters Meet on May 24.

Meanwhile, Hogan’s quiet stance has resonated with many advocating for fairness in girls’ sports. Supporters say her symbolic victory is a sign that many young athletes are speaking up.