Virginia
Virginia high school track star struck in head with baton cleared to run in Nationals — days after opponent rallies supporters
The Virginia high school track star concussed by a baton-wielding opponent will look for redemption when she returns to the starting line to race for a national title as her attacker faces assault charges.
Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker secured her spot at the Adidas Track Nationals in Virginia Beach after she received clearance from her doctors to return to competition, her father told TMZ.
The 16-year-old will race in the preliminary heats of the girls’ 60-meter and the 200-meter dashes at the Virginia Beach Sports Complex, according to race lineups for the meet.
Tucker will also join her schoolmates under the name Brookville TC in the 4×200 meter relay, the same race in which she was attacked.
The sprinter’s season had been in the dark since she suffered the head injury at the VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University on March 4.
Tucker, the second leg in the relay race, was battling IC Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett for second place when she was allegedly attacked.
Everett was captured on video bringing her right arm backward before launching it forward and striking Tucker with the metal baton.
Tucker detoured off the track, grabbing her head and falling to the ground.
The ailing runner immediately pulled herself and her team out of the race, while officials disqualified Everett and her school.
Tucker’s initial prognosis was grim when she was told that she suffered a concussion and “possible skull fracture.”
Everett has maintained her innocence, saying she “would never hit someone on purpose.”
She argued that her baton got “stuck” on Tucker’s back and rolled up and hit her opponent’s head.
“I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again,” Everett said, according to TMZ.
The Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney Office deemed otherwise, charging the 17-year-old with one count of assault and battery stemming from the incident.
Everett and her family were also the subject of a protective order, filed against them by the Tucker family.
A rally was held at a local park in support of the teen after she was charged.
Tens of people turned out to the event Everett thanked her supporters.
“There’s no one else that wanted to hear my story, except the people that know me and people that 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 even do that on purpose, and I thank y’all for believing in me. I love y’all,” she said according to WAVY.com.
Everett’s speech was met with loud applause and a chant of “We stand with you.”
The president of the Portsmouth, Virginia NAACP said the Everett family had been targets of racial slurs and other threats since the viral attack.
“The Everett family has experienced racial slurs, they’ve experienced death threats, and we think unequivocally that those things are unacceptable,” James Boyd said at the gathering.
Virginia
Skydiver rescued after crashing into scoreboard during Virginia Tech football scrimmage
A skydiver crashed into the Lane Stadium scoreboard before Virginia Tech’s spring football game Saturday.
Virginia Tech officials said on X that the skydiver “was safely secured and is currently stable” following rescue efforts. The incident caused a delay in the start of the spring game.
“Thankful for game days with Hokie Nation and for the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech first responders whose quick actions safely returned today’s parachuter to the ground without injury,” the university said.
The name of the skydiver wasn’t released.
“Our primary focus remains on their well-being,” Virginia Tech officials said in a statement. “We extend our sincere appreciation to the first responders, event staff, and medical personnel for their swift, coordinated and professional response.”
Video footage showed the skydiver’s parachute landing between the “C” and the “H” on the Virginia Tech lettering on top of the scoreboard before first responders rescued him.
CBS News has reached out to the Blacksburg Fire Department for details on the incident.
Virginia
Clemson baseball picks up big Game 2 win over Virginia Cavaliers
A much cleaner performance carried Clemson baseball on Friday, as it answered the previous night’s loss with a 5-1 win over No. 9 Virginia.
Michael Sharman set the tone from the start. He kept Virginia off balance all night, working eight innings while giving up just a single run. There weren’t many free passes, and he consistently pitched ahead, which allowed him to stay in control deep into the game. Hayden Simmerson wrapped things up in the ninth without any trouble.
At the plate, Nate Savoie was the difference. He delivered two home runs, including a go-ahead shot later in the game that put Clemson in front for good. His first long ball gave the Tigers an early edge, and he finished with three RBIs on the night.
Virginia managed to pull even midway through, but Clemson quickly responded. The offense strung together quality at-bats, with Bryce Clavon driving in a run and Luke Gaffney continuing his strong weekend with multiple hits. The Tigers created more separation late, adding another run after working a bases-loaded situation.
Clemson moves to 25-15 overall and 6-11 in conference play with the win. The series now comes down to Saturday’s matchup in Charlottesville.
Contact us @Clemson_Wire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Clemson Tigers news and notes, plus opinions.
Virginia
Car crashes into Murphy’s Irish Pub patio on the Oceanfront
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A car crashed into the patio at Murphy’s Irish Pub on the Oceanfront on Friday night.
Virginia Beach medics arrived at the scene around 7:54 p.m. at Murphy’s Irish Pub and found several victims, according to police. All were taken to the hospital with injuries ranging from non-life-threatening to very severe.
Medics are still on the scene, according to News 3’s team onsite.
This is an active scene and an ongoing investigation; News 3’s team will continue providing updates.
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