A Virginia track star named Kaelen Tucker was racing the 4X200 meter relay when all of a sudden, an opponent later identified as Alaila Everett appeared to hit her in the head with a baton, with a video recording showing the incident. Everett now defends herself against the accusations, claiming that the baton connecting to Tucker's head was accidental.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Everett gave an interview to WAVY on Sunday, March 9, two days after the incident took place at a meet at Liberty University. She described how both she and Tucker almost collided as they were reaching turn four.
"After a couple times of hitting her, my baton got stuck behind her back like this, and it rolled up her back," Everett told the outlet. "I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again. She got hit. I know my intentions and I would never hit someone on purpose."
Ever since the initial store broke, Alaila Everett and her family have received heavy criticism and backlash from users online. This, unfortunately, led to a round of harassment, racial slurs, and death threats aimed toward the I.C. Norcom High School senior.
Parents React
Everett's parents, in the meantime, are convinced that their daughter is telling the truth and didn't mean to hit Tucker at all. "I didn't have to see a first video, second video or tenth video," Zeketa Cost, Everett's mother, told the outlet. "I know 100 percent that she would never do that to nobody."
Geno Everett, Kaelen's father, also commented on the fact that the Tucker family is pursuing a protective order against them, serving them papers. "It doesn't seem right that this would happen and now we have to go to a city three hours away that everyone hates our guts already," Geno said.
Mike McCall, the Virginia High School League Director of Communications, shared a statement with WAVY. McCall called the meet director's decision to disqualify I.C. Norcom High School "appropriate and correct. "We are still reviewing the situation but that's all I have for you right now," McCall continued. "It's a serious issue especially when it involves the safety of athletes in competitions."
The Virginia High School League is currently investigating the incident, according to Lauren Nolasco, Portsmouth Public Schools Director of Communications. "We are cooperating with the VHSL in its work," Nolasco said. "The division will support and follow the ruling that comes from the VHSL upon its completed investigation."
