A high school track and field event in Virginia took an unsporting turn when a runner was struck in the head with a baton mid-race.
Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, was competing in the 4×200 meter relay during the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University on Friday, March 7 when the incident took place. Tucker was running the second leg of the relay when she attempted to pass a competitor from IC Norcom High School.
According to Tucker, the other runner had been bumping her arm as they approached a curve. As she finally moved ahead, she suddenly felt a sharp pain in her head.
“When we got to the curve, she kept bumping me in my arm, and when we got off the curve, I finally passed her—that was when she hit me with the baton,” Tucker recalled.
The impact forced Tucker to stop running. She was later evaluated by a doctor, who diagnosed her with a concussion and a possible skull fracture, according to WSLS 10.
Adding to the heating tussle, Tucker’s mother stated that neither the opposing runner nor the coach offered an apology following the incident.
It remains unclear whether Tucker will pursue any legal action.