VA Track Runner Injured After Opponent Hits Her With Baton: Reports

LYNCHBURG, VA — A Virginia high school track runner suffered a concussion and a possible skull fracture when another runner struck her in the head with a baton during a relay race at Liberty University last week, according to multiple reports.

Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, was running the second leg of the 4x200 relay finals during the Virginia High School League Class 3 indoor track and field championships on March 4 when she passed a racer from I.C. Norcom High School.

As she did, Tucker told WSET she suddenly felt a blow to the back of her head.

A video of the incident captured by WSET showed Alaila Everett, the runner from Norcom, appear to raise her baton and use it to strike Tucker in the back of the head. Tucker then drops her baton and clutches the back of her head before falling toward the infield.

While Tucker said the baton blow was deliberate, Everett's supporters said it was not, and was due to the runners moving closely together on the track.

"I still can't believe it. I'm in shock," Tucker told WSET. "I'm still trying to take it all in, I can't believe it happened."

Following the incident, trainers assessed Tucker's injuries as officials quickly disqualified the Norcom runners. While Tucker was not diagnosed with anything at the meet, a trip to the doctor revealed she suffered a concussion and a possible fractured skull, she told WSLS.

In an interview with 13News Now, Everett's father said the incident was accidental.

"When the young lady cut her off, my daughter couldn't pump her arms… no control where your arms go," Genoah Everett said.

Vincent Pugh, former Citywide Athletic Director at Portsmouth Public Schools, defended Everett in an interview with WAVY, saying a play-by-play showed Turner was running closely to Everett.

“If a person comes up on the outside, they got to be a full stride ahead of me before they can cut in front of me,” Pugh said.

Portsmouth Public Schools officials released a statement, according to reports, saying, "The division immediately reported the incident to the Virginia High School League (VHSL), which is still investigating. We are cooperating with the VHSL in its work. The division will support and follow the ruling... upon its completed investigation."

The Virginia High School League also addressed the situation, according to reports.

"The actions taken by the meet director to disqualify the runner were appropriate and correct," VHSL officials said. "We thoroughly review every instance like this that involves player safety with the participating schools. The VHSL membership has always made it a priority to provide student-athletes with a safe environment for competition."