Runner caught on video hitting competitor with baton charged with assault, battery

A Virginia high school athlete captured on video hitting a fellow competitor with a baton during a track and field relay race now faces a misdemeanor charge, a prosecutor confirmed Thursday.

A senior at I.C. Norcom High School faces one count of assault and battery, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg Bethany Harrison told USA TODAY.

Harrison said the case is being handled in the Lynchburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.

The March 4th footage shows the athlete who was struck running off the track and falling with her own baton in hand.

Video shows runner being struck by baton

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Teen who hit racer with baton during relay not listed as jailed

Harrison did not provide additional details about the case including when the teen is due in court.

It was not immediately known whether the teen she had obtained an attorney in the case.

On Thursday she was not listed as an inmate at the Lynchburg Adult Detention Center, online records showed.

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Both student-athletes made public television appearances on “Good Morning America” this week.

Alaila Everett said she never meant to injure Brookville High School Junior Kaelen Tucker, who was hit as they were rounding a corner during the second leg of the 4×200 relay race at the Virginia State High School League Indoor State Championships in Lynchburg last week.

“That’s when she hit me with the baton,” Tucker told “Good Morning America” on Monday, nearly a week after she was injured. “I just felt a bang on my head and immediately fell off the track.”

“I would never do that on purpose,” Everett said in a Tuesday interview with “Good Morning America.” “That’s not in my character.”

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Runner hit with baton suffered head injuries, investigation underway

After the meet, doctors told Tucker she was suffering from a concussion and a possible fractured skull, WSLS10-TV reported.

Leslie Young, I.C. Norcom High School Athletic Director, apologized to the Tuckers on behalf of the Everetts, GMA reported.

Young did not immediately respond to USA TODAY’s request for comment.

The Virginia State High School League is also investigating the incident.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Virginia track baton incident: Runner charged with assault, battery