Video of high school track runner hitting rival on the head with a baton in middle of relay goes viral

LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA: A Virginia high school sprinter was reportedly attacked with a baton by one of her competitors during the 4×200 meter relay at the VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University on Friday, March 7.

Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker was running the second leg of the race, and as she passed her opponent from IC Norcom High School, she was smacked from behind by the latter, the New York Post reported.

“When we get onto the other side of the track, we have to cross to lane one, you have to merge in, and as I was coming up on her, she kind of made me get cut off a little bit so I backed away,” Tucket told WSLS.

Kaelen Tucker suffered ‘a possible fractured skull’

Kaelen Tucker further explained that “as we got around the curve, she kept bumping me in my arm. Then finally we got off the curve, I like slowly started passing her and then that’s when she just hit me with the baton and I fell off the track.”

Nine's Wide World of Sports reported that even after the attack, the IC Norcom runner did not stop as Tucker’s mother and team trainers ran for her help.

The teenager reportedly suffered a concussion and a possible skull fracture while her alleged attacker and her team were disqualified from the race.

“I could feel like a headache coming up, so I just sat down. I recently went to the doctor, and they prescribed me with a concussion and a possible fractured skull,” Tucker added.

Kaelen Tucker's mother slams her daughter’s opponent

Kaelen Tucker's mother, Tamarro, however, revealed that no one apologized to her daughter after the incident.

She said, “No apologies. No coaches. No athlete. No anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don't believe it was... nothing.”

“Why did you do it, and why haven't you apologized?” she asked.

Internet wants Kaelen Tucker's opponent banned from race

The video of the incident has since gone viral on social media, and netizens have demanded that Kaelen Tucker's opponent, who hit her with a baton, should be banned from ever competing again. 

One user posted on X, “I watched it several times to make sure it couldn’t have been an accident. It wasn’t.”

Another wrote, “She should be banned from sports and arrested for assault. What horrible sportsmanship!”

“The State should file charges even if the runner who was injured doesn't. This type of transgression can't be ignored,” one person shared.

Another added, “Anger issues and an inability to control behavior. I see prison in her future.”

IC Norcom runner's mother defends herself after daughter hit Kaelen Tucker with baton

Amid the backlash, the unnamed IC Norcom runner issued an apology on Saturday.

She said, “I’m just a person by myself. Nobody is going to believe me because I can admit that from the video it does look purposeful, but I know my intentions, and I would never hit somebody on purpose.”

The runner's mother, Genoa Everett, defended her on Facebook and posted, “According to Virginia state track rules and regulations, my daughter was cut off illegally and that’s what caused the incidental contact. Look at article 4,” referring to an attached picture of rules and regulations."

“There is no way so many adults should be criminalizing a young lady/minor without checking facts. Y’all literally watch one video and ask no questions from people that are only looking for attention and likes whether it be the news stations or social media platforms when will we start to protect our youth and give them the benefit of the doubt because all of them are not dangerous or criminals. Please look at my other post for pictures and videos?” she added.

People ask IC Norcom runner to own her mistake

But people online were not happy with the alleged attacker’s response. One Instagram user commented, “So what were your intentions? Cause you didn’t miss her head and the baton didn’t slip off your fingers! If you were upset about losing— own it.”

Another one said, “I like how all her friends and acquaintances are defending her, but how does it look actually accidental?? Fr! I wanna believe her every angle says otherwise.”

“You sure did hit somebody on purpose. More than once. She should be banned from track forever,” a comment read.

The second comment read, “Not only did she do it on purpose, if you look closely She was about to hit her again, but the girl stumbled off the track.”

“Its unfortunate that she’ll most likely be banned from participating in the sport she loves at such a young age, but she most DEFINITELY and intentionally hit the other girl with the baton. learning lesson, your reality can change with the snap of a finger bc of choices you made,” a person added.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.