A high school track star in Virginia who brutally beat an opponent mid-race with a baton, causing a concussion and a possible skull fracture, claims she’s the real victim here.
During a 4×200-meter relay at the Virginia High School League Class 3 State Indoor Championships on Friday, an opponent struck Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker in the head with a baton.
Alaila Everett, a senior from I.C. Norcom High School, hit Tucker mighty hard as she attempted to pass in lane one.
The incident was captured on video. You can see the blow to the head caused Tucker to fall off the track as her mother and supporters rushed to her aid amidst audible gasps from the crowd.
She was later diagnosed with a concussion and a possible skull fracture.
NEW: High school track runner gets attacked with a baton in the middle of a relay at the VSHL Class 3 State Indoor Championships.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 9, 2025
Kaelen Tucker was on the second leg of the 4x200m relay at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, when she got smacked in the head.
Tucker suffered a… pic.twitter.com/DXPMwZcaRP
Track Star Beaten With A Baton
The Norcom team was disqualified for “contact interference,” but neither the runner nor her coach has apologized, leaving Tucker and the family frustrated.
“My whole thing was no apology,” Tucker’s mother said. “No coaches, no athlete, no anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don’t believe it’s an accident, but nothing. It’s been more than 24 hours now, so I guess that was the major thing. My child was hurt and nobody came to check on her.”
The Virginia High School League is investigating the incident. Bumping happens during track events. Beating your opponent with the baton? Well, that’s something we’ve never seen before.
But if you listen to Everett’s version of events, she’s the victim here.
What About My Mental Injuries, Huh?
In an interview with WAVY, Everett insisted the contact between her and Tucker was accidental and questioned the narrative, suggesting people need to take into account the “mental” trauma she suffered over the incident.
“Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt, but you’re not thinking of my mental,” Everett said.
Yeah, I mean, that’s because you were smashing in the skull of your opponent with a baton, ya lunatic.
“After a couple times of hitting her (on the track, before the beatdown), my baton got stuck behind her back like this, and it rolled up her back,” Everett demonstrated. “I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again. She got hit.”
“I know my intentions and I would never hit someone on purpose,” she said.
What do you guys think? Fair or foul?
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