A track athlete who was seen hitting her opponent with a baton during a race says it was an accident.
The incident happened at the indoor track championships in Virginia, where Alaila Everett was caught on video striking Kaelen Tucker during the 4x200m relay event of the VSHL Class 3 State Indoor Championships.
Tucker was running the second leg of the relay for Brookville High School when she passed Everett from I.C. Norcom High School. Soon after, Everett’s baton hit Tucker’s head, causing her to stumble and fall.
Everett claims she didn’t do it on purpose. She says people have judged her harshly based on the short video clip. “From the video, I know it looks like I meant to do it, but I would never hit anyone on purpose,” she told Wavy.com.
She explained that as she was running, her baton got caught behind Tucker’s back, and as she tried to regain balance, her arm movement caused the baton to hit Tucker.
The video quickly went viral, leading to backlash. Everett said she has received threats and negative comments. “People are making assumptions about me and calling me names,” she said. “All this over a nine-second video.”
Gasps were heard inside the Liberty Indoor Track Complex when Tucker fell. Her mother, Tamarro, was upset that no one from Norcom checked on her daughter. “No apologies, no coaches, no athlete, nothing. Even if it was an accident, they should have said something,” she told WSET.
Everett’s mother, Zeketa Cost, defended her daughter. “I didn’t need to see the video. I know for a fact she would never do that to anyone.”
As a result of the incident, I.C. Norcom High School was disqualified for contact interference. The Virginia High School League confirmed they are looking into the situation.
Tucker, who was treated for a concussion and possible skull fracture, is still processing what happened. “I’m in shock. I just want to understand why she did it and why she hasn’t apologized,” she said.
Everett says she tried to reach out to Tucker but was blocked. Meanwhile, Tucker’s family has filed for a protective order against Everett’s family.