AB Hernandez, a senior at Jurupa Valley High School, returns to defend her California state track and field titles this week amid ongoing debate over transgender athlete participation. She's favored to win three events - high jump, triple jump and long jump - at the championship meet in Clovis.

California will implement special protocols requiring podium sharing when transgender athletes win, a rule introduced last year after President Trump threatened to withhold funding. The system allows competitors who finished behind Hernandez to share her placement, addressing concerns about fairness in competition.

The meet comes as the Supreme Court prepares to rule on state laws banning transgender girls from competing on matching teams, potentially affecting policies in 25 states. California's 2013 law allowing transgender athletes to compete according to gender identity remains in place, despite a poll showing 94% of Republicans and 67% of Democrats oppose such participation.