California athlete cheered as she poses on first-place podium moments after trans rival vacates spot

YUCAIPO, CALIFORNIA: California high school track athlete Reese Hogan ignited a wave of support over the weekend after making a bold, silent gesture during a post-race podium ceremony.

Competing in the CIF Southern Section Division 3 Finals, Hogan briefly stood atop the first-place platform following her second-place finish to a transgender competitor in the triple jump.

Reese Hogan’s brief first-place pose goes viral as social media declares her the ‘real champion’

Hogan, a standout junior from Crean Lutheran High School, set both a personal and school record with a 37-foot, 2-inch jump. Despite her achievement, she was beaten by more than four feet by a transgender athlete from Jurupa Valley High School.

Following the official ceremony, Hogan wearing her silver medal smiled and stepped up to the first-place spot just long enough for a photo, a moment met with cheers from the crowd and quickly shared across social media.

Many online hailed her as the “real champion,” with supporters praising her subtle but powerful statement.

Hogan has been at the center of a broader debate surrounding fairness in girls’ sports. Just a week earlier, she and several teammates were told to remove "Protect Girls Sports" shirts ahead of their preliminary races. Hogan said that CIF officials strongly implied that refusal to comply could impact their participation in the meet.

“It wasn’t said directly, 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,” she told Fox News Digital.

She described the atmosphere as growing “stricter” and “more hostile” as the day progressed. The shirts were part of a protest by female athletes advocating for restrictions on biological males competing in girls' sports categories.

California athlete sparks internet frenzy after posing on first-place podium despite finishing second

A high school track meet in Southern California has ignited a storm of online debate after athlete Reese Hogan posed on the first-place podium despite officially finishing second in the women’s triple jump at the CIF section finals. 

One user applauded Hogan directly, “Congratulations to Reese Hogan — the real winner of the women’s triple jump at the CIF section finals in SoCal yesterday.”

One person expressed concern for Hogan’s future, “The sad thing is this wonderful young lady will probably be punished for this, but great for her for standing up for herself.”

“Disgraceful. I’m so tired of these dudes playing girls. They should be ridiculed and humiliated off the podium,” another added.

“I’d thought men weren’t allowed in women’s sports. This should be disqualifying. And not sure why is still allowed. Unfair advantage to a woman. She truly was the winner!” one commented.

One user lamented, “Congratulations to Reese Hogan on her win!”

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