A University of Georgia student, Aiden Dombrowski, is accused of impersonating a high school cross-country runner and attacking another athlete during the Coweta Cup Cross Country Championship at Newnan High School on Saturday, according to Newnan Police. Dombrowski, 19, reportedly drove 110 miles from the University of Georgia campus in Athens to Newnan, Georgia, on Friday night and slept in his car until the race began the next morning.
During the race, Dombrowski allegedly wore an East Coweta High School cross-country uniform and hid in the woods until a Newnan High School runner passed by. Witnesses reported seeing Dombrowski holding rocks but noted that he pushed the victim and struck him with his fists. The victim managed to fight back, which caused Dombrowski to flee into the woods.
As he escaped, Dombrowski changed his clothes, discarding the uniform in his car before surrendering to police. He reportedly changed into another school's tracksuit when he turned himself in. In a conversation with officers, Dombrowski claimed the incident was a prank and described the victim as an acquaintance, stating, "I know him, I’m not friends with him. No bad blood. Acquaintances."
Dombrowski was arrested and charged with battery. His mugshot showed him with a gash around his right eye, which he allegedly sustained during the incident. Police later confirmed that Dombrowski was not a student at East Coweta High School and did not provide an explanation for how he obtained the uniform. Dombrowski, who previously attended Northgate High School, had aspirations of breaking 15 minutes in the 5K race before graduation, according to his NCSA College Recruiting profile. He is not listed on the University of Georgia cross-country or track team rosters.