WATCH: High School Track Star Struck in the Head With a Baton by Opponent Mid-Race

Footage of a Virginia high school track and field runner being struck with a baton by an opponent mid-relay has gone viral after the incident left the athlete, who had been in the lead during the race, with head injuries.

The incident occurred March 4 at the Virginia High School League Class 3 State Indoor Championships. Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker took the lead in the 4x200m relay final when she was struck in the head by Alaila Everett, a runner representing I.C. Norcom High School.

"So, on the back curve, I kind of got cut off, and I tried to pass her the first time, so I let her go ahead," Tucker explained to WSET. "I knew when I got fully on the curve that I was just going to have to push through past her. So, as we were coming up in the middle of the curve, we were bumping arms a lot. So, I got a little more on the outside of the curve to go around her."

"When I finally pushed through to get in front of her, that's when she hit me in the head with the baton," Tucker continued. She was later diagnosed with a concussion.

Everett, who has since spoken out about what happened, stated that she never meant to hurt Tucker and that the incident was purely accidental.

"After a couple times of hitting her, my baton got stuck behind her back like this, and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again. She got hit," Everett told WAVY-TV. "I know my intentions and I would never hit someone on purpose."

The teen said she has been receiving threats online since the video went viral.

Track officials are continuing to investigate the incident.