Kaelen Tucker, the injured high school runner who was attacked in the head with a baton at the Virginia Indoor Championships is now clear to return to competing.
On March 4, teenage runner Tucker got smacked in the head with a baton by opponent Alaila Everett during a meet and that attack reportedly caused her a brain injury.
Nonetheless, after medical examination and treatment, Kaelen Tucker is now set to return to the track in the next few days at the Nationals.
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Keith Tucker, father of Kaelen, told TMZ Sports that doctors have cleared his daughter to run again after the concussion she suffered in the Championship race to Everett.
The injury came about during the 4×200 relay race when Tucker, who is a junior track star, and senior Alaila Everett rounded the corner.
Seconds after, Everett swung the baton and began to hit Kaelen in the head multiple times.
Although it looked intentional, Everett later revealed that it was completely an accident as it led her to face racial slurs and death threats.
“My baton got stuck behind her back like this, and it rolled up her back,” Everett said. “I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again.”
Although Everett explained that it was all completely unintentional, prosecutors didn’t see it that way.
After looking into the incident, officials charged Everett with one count of assault and battery.
After being charged, Alaila held a rally outside her high school, I.C. Norcom, in Portsmouth, VA, to thank supporters for standing by her.
“There’s no one else who wants to hear my story except the people who know me—people who know I would never do anything like that. I would never harm anybody. I’m not a fighter, I’m not even confrontational. I wouldn’t do that on purpose, and I thank y’all for believing in me.”
Regardless, Kaelen isn’t taking any chances moving forward. She has obtained a protective order, preventing Everett from contacting her.
The track and field meet is set to take place in just a few days, and Tucker’s family and friends will be rallying behind her, only hoping a similar incident does not occur.
