A high school student is being treated for a possible skull fracture after being struck with a baton by a rival during a relay.
Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School in Lynchburg, Virginia, ran the second leg for her team in the 4x200m relay final.
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Unfortunately for the teen, her race was cut short in the most astonishing of circumstances.
As Tucker passed her rival from I.C Norcom High School on the outside, she was smacked on the back of her head with the baton.
Tucker stumbled off the track and fell to the ground clutching her head.
Judges at the event, held at Liberty University, immediately spotted the foul play and disqualified Norcom from the race on the spot for ‘contact interference’.
Speaking to ABC 13, Tucker expressed her bafflement at what had transpired.
“I still can’t believe it, I’m in shock,” Tucker said.
“I’m still trying to take it all in, I can’ t believe it happened.”
Upon seeing the incident, Tucker’s mother Tamarrow raced onto the track to check on her daughter, as did the on-site medical staff.
Remarkably, not a single member from Norcom’s team or any of their staff members came over to apologise or check on the Brookville junior’s welfare.
“No apologies,” Tamarrow said.
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“No coaches. No athlete. No anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don’t believe it was… nothing.”
The ABC report added Tucker is being treated by doctors for a concussion and potential skull fracture, highlighting the severity of the blow from her rival.
It also claims the family has got in touch with the parent of the runner from Norcom who struck Tucker as well as the school’s athletic director, who have both apologised on behalf of the student.
However, it’s left Tucker pondering the all important questions: “Why did you do it, and why haven’t you apologised?”
The violent incident took place after Tucker had set a new meet record in the 55-metre dash on Monday.
She hopes to recover in time for the beginning of the outdoor track season.
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