Trans Athlete AB Hernandez Triumphs Again Amid Controversy At California State Track Championships
On May 31, 17-year-old transgender athlete Verónica Garcia won the Class 2A 400-meter race for the second year in a row at Mount Tahoma High School in Washington. Despite being jeered by a man wearing a “Save Women’s Sports” shirt before the race, Verónica stayed focused and won with a time of 55.70 seconds.
After her victory, she held a sign declaring herself the champion and responded to critics by saying their comments only fueled her determination. “It made me angry—not to give up, but to push harder,” she said. “It’s a shame they have nothing better to do.”
Second-place runner Lauren Matthew expressed frustration, saying she didn’t want to compete against a “man,” misgendering Verónica.
Verónica emphasized the importance of standing up for what’s right, even in the face of criticism.
