US news: Virginia high school sprinter hit competitor by baton in relay race; disqualified | Watch

Tucker, who had won silver in the girls’ 55m dash earlier in the event, was trying to move into lane one while battling for second place as she rounded turn four, according to the report.

“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’s when she hit me with the baton,” Tucker explained.

Also Read: NYPD officer’s raunchy pole dance video goes viral, sparks backlash: ‘Nothing to do with her…’

An audible gasp was heard from the crowd inside the Lynchburg, Va. venue as Tucker veered off the track, grabbing her head and falling to the ground. Tucker’s mother and team trainers immediately rushed to her side, the New York Post reported.

“I could feel a headache coming on, so I just stood out,” Tucker said. She stopped running, pulling her team out of the race. A doctor later diagnosed her with a concussion and a “possible fractured skull.”

Also Read: ‘Massive’ wildfire hits New York’s Long Island, ’State of Emergency’ declared, viral videos show smoke filling air

As a result of the incident, IC Norcom was disqualified from the race, according to the report.

Netizens react

“The State should file charges even if the runner who was injured doesn’t. This type of transgression can’t be ignored,” said a user.

That’s assault. The woman who did this needs to get jail time.

The State should file charges even if the runner who was injured doesn’t. This type of transgression can’t be ignored.

Another said, “That’s assault. The woman who did this needs to get jail time.”

In a similar incident, in March 2022, a Florida high school runner was sucker-punched during a race by another student-athlete who wasn’t even competing in the event. The runner, who was attacked during the 1,600-meter race at the Tohopekaliga Tiger Invitational in Kissimmee, also suffered a concussion.