Kaelen Tucker, Virginia track star with Brookville High School assaulted by opponent from IC Norcom High with metal baton as she was about to pass her during VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships meet at Liberty University. Episode leads to athlete sprinter suffering concussion and asking why she was beaten by un-named runner.
A Virginia high school track star was assaulted by her baton wielding competitor opponent as they raced during a state indoor championship on Friday.
Kaelen Tucker a sprinter with Brookville High School was the second leg runner for her team, during the 4×200 meter relay at the VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University and was about to pass one of her opponents only for the athlete — to the shock of onlookers — suddenly assaulting her on the back of the head with a baton.
Virginia track star insists she accidentally struck Kaelen Tucker with baton
Virginia high school track star assaulted with baton while passing competitor runner
Tucker – who had earned silver in the girl’s 55m dash earlier in the meet – was attempting to cut into lane one during a battle for second place in the front pack as she was rounding turn four.
Instead of blocking her entry, Tucker’s opponent — who attended IC Norcom High School — seemingly slowed down, wound up her arm back and brought the baton across the back of the Brookville runner’s head with force, shocking video of the incident revealed.
Kaelen can then be seen clutching her head and falling towards the infield, as her opponent, whose identity has not yet been shared, continued running.
‘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,’ Tucker explained to WSLS.
‘When we got to the curve she kept bumping me in my arm and when we got off the curve I finally passed her and that was when she hit me with the baton.’
An audible gasp was heard from the crowd inside the Lynchburg, Va. complex as Tucker detoured off the track, grabbing her head and falling to the ground.
Virginia high school sprinter Kaelen Tucker suffered a concussion when her competitor smashed her in the back of her head with a relay baton during their race on Friday.
The thug who hit Tucker never apologized.
Tucker should sue.pic.twitter.com/lJvATjNyjX
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) March 9, 2025
Track meet episode being investigated
Speaking to WSET, Kaelen said, ‘I was so in disbelief. I didn’t even know what happened. I just know I got hit in the head, and I just fell off the track.’
Adding, ‘I still can’t believe it. I’m still in shock. But I’m still trying to take it all in.’
Tucker’s mother and team trainers rushed to the sprinter’s side with the episode forcing her team to be pulled out of the race. A doctor later diagnosed Kaelen with a concussion and ‘possible fractured skull.’
The incident led to IC Norcom being disqualified over the student’s actions.
Tucker and her family have since claimed IC Norcom’s coach nor the runner apologizing to them.
‘They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologized or came to check on her,’ Tucker’s parents told WSLS. ‘Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her.’
Tucker’s mom, Tamarro, says she called the sporting body, who have opened up an investigation into the alleged assault.
Heritage (Lynchburg) High School, who was leading the race at the time of the suspected attack, ended up winning the third heat with a time of 1:47.98, good enough for a fifth-place overall finish.
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) has since stated that they will be investigating the incident. It remained unclear, what actions, if any, will be taken.
