Baton-wielding athlete says she didn’t hit opponent on purpose

A Virginia high school runner, who hit her rival during a race with a baton, has defended herself claiming that she didn’t do it deliberately.

In a video that has widely shared on social media, an American high school junior, Kaelen Tucker, was running in the Class 3 State Finals for Brookville High School in the 4×200 metre relay at a state indoor championship at Liberty University when Alaila Everett hits her with a baton on her head.

Everett has since been heavily criticised on social media with many people calling for the teen athlete’s arrest for what seems like an intendent assault on her opponent who had just ran past her.

However, Everett says its all just a misunderstanding and blames a camera angle for the misjudgment.

She says she’s received a wave of hatred since the scandal.

Tucker’s family says Everett and her parents has not yet apologised for her actions.

They have since served the Everett family with court papers, wanting a protective order.

Tucker says she was diagnosed with a concussion and a possible fractured skull.

Everett’s parents have also come out defending their daughter, saying she would never hurt anyone deliberately.

Everett’s school, the I.C. Norcom High School team, was ultimately disqualified for contact interference or physically interfering with another runner’s actions.