Virginia Track Star Breaks Silence On Cracking Competitor In Head With Baton During Race

A high school track star whose baton struck another competitor in the head during a championship race has broken her silence.

Alaila Everett, a senior at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA, recently spoke with local news outlet WAVY 10 about the backlash she’s received as a result of the incident, which occurred on Friday (March 7) at the state indoor championship at Liberty University.

While turning a corner during the race, Everett’s baton seriously injured fellow track star Kaelen Tucker, leaving Tucker unable to compete in the championship’s remaining events. According to Everett, accusations inferring that her actions were intentional are unwarranted and a false reflection of her character.

“It’s like they are going off of one angle,” Everett said, referencing a particular clip of the incident that’s since gone viral. She also shared her recollection of the collision, which occurred while she and Tucker were competing in the 4×200 meter relay event.

“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 said. “I know my intentions and I would never hit someone on purpose.”

Zeketa Cost, Everett’s mother, echoed her daughter’s sentiments. “I didn’t have to see a first video, second video or tenth video. I know 100 percent that she would never do that to nobody,” Cost told WAVY 10.

Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, received medical attention and was diagnosed as having suffered a concussion and a possible skull fracture.

Everett and the I.C. Norcom High School team were ultimately disqualified by the Virginia High School League, which says the incident is currently under investigation. “The actions taken by the meet director to disqualify the runner were appropriate and correct,” the VHSL said in a statement.

“We thoroughly review every instance like this that involves player safety with the participating schools. The VHSL membership has always made it a priority to provide student-athletes with a safe environment for competition.”

While Everett and her mother maintain that the hit was accidental, Tucker’s mother, Tamarro Tucker, isn’t so sure. She and her daughter blasted Everett for her seeming lack of sportsmanship in the wake of Tucker’s injury.

“My whole thing was no apology,” Tamarro said in an interview with WSET. “Like, no coaches, no athlete, no anything. Even if it was an accident — which I don’t believe it was — but nothing. And it’s been more than 24 hours now. So I guess that was the major thing. My child was hurt and nobody came to check on her.”

Yet, others have seemingly sided with Everett’s account of the incident, pointing out that Tucker was running extremely close to Everett while turning the corner during the race, leaving her in position to be struck.

“If a person comes up on the outside, they got to be a full stride ahead of me before they can cut in front of me,” Vincent Pugh, former Citywide Athletic Director at Portsmouth Public Schools, said, citing his own experience as an athlete.

Tucker, who had just set a new record in the 55-meter dash event prior to her injury, remains shaken by the incident, admitting that she’s still coming to terms with what occurred.

“I still can’t believe it,” the teenager said. “I’m still in shock. But I’m still trying to take it all in.”

See footage of the incident below.