Getting hit when you don't expect it sucks, but batons weigh 50 grams and are hollow. My teammates and I would playfully bonk each other during practice and at meets with them. Calm TF down you sissy underweight runners.
Not even 20 years ago we were so much tougher than today's kids.
i'm not a fan of the assault, but some people are way overreacting including the person who got hit. a baton weighs less than 2oz and it's not like she was hit with the pointy side with full force. there is no way that that hit could've hurt that much.
There should be a more significant disciplinary action than just the DQ for something that egregious.
From what I’ve read, the victim suffered a concussion and possibly a skull fracture (guess that hadn’t been confirmed or not yet) - this is 100% felony assault, end of discussion.
i'm not a fan of the assault, but some people are way overreacting including the person who got hit. a baton weighs less than 2oz and it's not like she was hit with the pointy side with full force. there is no way that that hit could've hurt that much.
Um, she had the force of her entire arm and hand behind it. People can get a concussion just by being punched, now and a harder surface and two additional ounces. Plus because of how circles work, the force will be concentrated in a very small area. Also, a baton is typically rolled at the edges so there likely isn’t a ton of give.
So we’d tap people on the head with batons in track, but that’s a lot different than an all out swing.
I was at this meet and watched it in person. I was standing on the balcony. From my point of view, it looked like she cut in too early and it was an accidental hit. It wasn't until the article was released and the footage showed otherwise, did I realize how malicious this was.
The 4 x 200 heat just before this one ended with a girl getting carried off by the trainers. Lots of carnage in just a few short minutes.
The girl that was hit had just set a new 55m record the prior day during qualifying.
I love how the assailant kept swinging her baton-carrying arm in a striking motion for each stride after making contact, like that was a natural motion for her and smacking someone's head was an unintended consequence.
I was at this meet and watched it in person. I was standing on the balcony. From my point of view, it looked like she cut in too early and it was an accidental hit. It wasn't until the article was released and the footage showed otherwise, did I realize how malicious this was.
The 4 x 200 heat just before this one ended with a girl getting carried off by the trainers. Lots of carnage in just a few short minutes.
The girl that was hit had just set a new 55m record the prior day during qualifying.
The common denominator here is that an indoor 4x200 is a truly insane event to have at all
Breaking news story from late Sunday night Mar 9, 2025:
Description: "Alaila Everett, a track star and senior at I.C. Norcom High School, is speaking out following shocking footage where she struck an opponent in the head with her baton and allegedly injured her during a relay race."
The strike was ACCIDENTAL, Alaila claims on camera in tears. She was trying to maintain her balance and resume pumping her arms after her competitor cut in in front of her on the curve, without even a full stride between them.
In the race video, you see apparent concern/remorse from Alaila after her competitor steps off the track while gripping her head. And in the interview, her explanation seems contrite.
Breaking news story from late Sunday night Mar 9, 2025:
Description: "Alaila Everett, a track star and senior at I.C. Norcom High School, is speaking out following shocking footage where she struck an opponent in the head with her baton and allegedly injured her during a relay race."
The strike was ACCIDENTAL, Alaila claims on camera in tears. She was trying to maintain her balance and resume pumping her arms after her competitor cut in in front of her on the curve, without even a full stride between them.
In the race video, you see apparent concern/remorse from Alaila after her competitor steps off the track while gripping her head. And in the interview, her explanation seems contrite.