A high school track meet turned into a legal matter after an athlete was charged with assault for striking a competitor with a metal baton during a relay race.
The incident occurred earlier this month at the Virginia High School League Championship held at Liberty University, during the second leg of the 4×200 relay.
I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett was seen in now-viral video footage swinging her baton and striking Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker in the head while running beside her.
Following the incident, Tucker dropped her baton and ran off to the side, while Everett’s team was disqualified from the event.
Bethany Harrison, the commonwealth’s attorney for the city of Lynchburg, confirmed that Everett has been charged with misdemeanor assault and battery.
In an interview with WSET, Tucker expressed disbelief over what had transpired.
“I didn’t even know what had happened. I got hit in the head and I just fell off the track,” she said.
Her mother later revealed that she suffered a “slight concussion” and a “possible skull fracture.”
Everett, however, maintained that the hit was unintentional. Speaking with Good Morning America, she said:
“I can admit I know it looks purposeful, but I know my intentions. A person by myself, nobody’s gonna believe me because I can admit from the video it does look purposeful, but I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose.”
Recalling the incident to WTKR, she explained that Tucker had been touching her as they ran side by side, which caused her to lose balance and inadvertently strike her opponent.
Following the race, I.C. Norcom’s athletic director and Everett’s father reportedly called Tucker’s parents to apologize. However, the two athletes have not spoken directly since the incident.
Portsmouth Public Schools stated that it immediately reported the situation to the Virginia High School League (VHSL), which is conducting an ongoing investigation.
“We are cooperating with the VHSL in its work,” said Dr. Lauren Nolasco, the chief communications officer for Portsmouth Public Schools. “The division will support and follow the ruling that comes from the VHSL upon its completed investigation.”
Meanwhile, the Virginia High School League has upheld its decision to disqualify Everett. The Portsmouth NAACP also released a statement saying it is reviewing the incident.
The case remains under legal review as authorities determine the next steps regarding the assault charge.
