The teen claims she was assaulted intentionally by her opponent, with footage showing the moment a baton hit her on her head
A Virginian high school sprinter has spoken out following allegations that her opponent ‘attacked’ her with a baton during a race.
High School Runner Suffers Concussion After Baton Strike in Relay Race at Liberty University
On Friday, March 7, Kaelen Tucker, a runner from Brookville High School, was left injured after being struck on the back of the head by a baton during the second leg of a 4×200 meter relay at Liberty University in Lynchburg.
The impact resulted in a concussion and a potential skull fracture, leaving Tucker in critical condition. The shocking moment was caught on video, which quickly went viral, showing Tucker being hit by the baton during the race.
While the footage sparked widespread concern, Alaila Everett, the runner from I.C. Norcom High School involved in the incident, has since clarified that the strike was accidental.
Brookville High School Runner Shares Her Side After Baton Strike Incident at Liberty University
Kaelen Tucker, the high school runner from Brookville High School, shared her account of the frightening moment during a 4×200 meter relay race at Liberty University. Tucker explained that as she was nearing the back curve of the track, she was cut off by her competitor. “I tried to pass her the first time, but I let her go ahead,” Tucker told WSET ABC 13 on Friday, March 7.
She continued, “I knew when I got fully on the curve, I was going to have to push past her. As we came up in the middle of the curve, we were bumping arms a lot. I got more to the outside to go around her, and when I pushed through to get in front, that’s when she hit me in the head with the baton.”
After the impact, Tucker ran off the pitch before collapsing. Her mother, Tamarrow, recalled the terrifying moment, saying, “The whole section just gasped. We had family come from out of town, her godparents were here from Myrtle Beach. When I saw her go down, all I could do was run out of the bleachers. I just knew I had to get to her. She was kind of hysterical because she just couldn’t believe that’s what had happened.”
The shocking incident, which was captured on video, went viral, with many social media users criticizing Alaila Everett from I.C. Norcom High School and calling for her to be banned from the sport. However, Everett, visibly emotional, shared her perspective in an interview with WAVYTV10. Through tears, she said, “Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt, but you are not thinking about my mental health. They’re going off of one angle.”
Everett maintains that the baton strike was unintentional.
Alaila Everett Shares Her Side After Baton Strike Incident: “I Would Never Hit Someone on Purpose”
Alaila Everett, the I.C. Norcom High School sprinter involved in the baton strike incident during the 4×200 meter relay at Liberty University, has now shared her version of events. Speaking about the moment she struck Kaelen Tucker, Everett explained: “After a couple of times hitting her with my baton, I got stuck behind her back like this, and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance, and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit.”
Everett passionately defended her actions, saying, “I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose.”
Everett’s parents have expressed full support for their daughter, insisting that she would never intentionally harm an opponent. However, the situation has escalated, with Tucker’s family reportedly taking legal action. They have served Everett’s family with court papers, seeking a protective order.
Tucker’s family has claimed that Everett never attempted to apologize for the incident. But Everett has refuted this claim, stating that she did indeed try to reach out, only for Tucker to block her on social media, making it impossible for her to express her remorse.
The controversy continues to unfold as both families share their side of the story.
