The runner who allegedly attacked her opponent with a baton during a major race has spoken out, explaining her reasons for the action.
A recent track event in Virginia led to a shocking incident involving two runners.
The event took place on March 7 during a 4×200 meter relay at Liberty University.
Alaila Everett, a sprinter from I.C. Norcom High School, has spoken out about hitting an opponent with her baton.
This incident quickly gained attention on social media.
Virginia track star attacked on back of her head with baton by rival during race
The runner who was struck was Kaelen Tucker from Brookville High School.
She was competing in the relay when she was hit in the back of the head.
The impact caused her to fall and resulted in a concussion and a possible skull fracture.
A video of the moment went viral, causing many to criticize Everett for her actions.
Witnesses at the event gasped when the incident happened. Many people on social media called for Everett to be banned from competing.
The reactions were intense, with some labeling her actions as violent and intentional.
Runner who struck opponent with relay baton during race explains the reason for her ruthless action
In an interview with WAVYTV10, Alaila Everett shared her perspective on the situation.
She insisted that she did not mean to hit Tucker. Through tears, she explained that things happened quickly during the race.
Everett clarified that she had hit Tucker with her baton a few times before the incident. She described how her baton rolled up Tucker’s back, leading to the unfortunate strike.
“Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt, but you are not thinking about my mental, right.
“They are going off of one angle.”
Telling her version of events she said: “After a couple times of 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. I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose.”
Support from family and friends
Everett’s family supports her version of events. They believe she would never intentionally harm another runner.
The incident not only affected the athletes but also their families.
The Tucker family has taken legal steps, filing for a protective order against Everett’s family. They are seeking an apology, claiming that no one checked on Kaelen after the incident.
Tucker’s family expressed their disappointment. They noted that while watching the video at the event, no one from Everett’s side reached out to offer help or an apology.
Tucker’s family told local news: “They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologized or came to check on her.
“Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her.”
After the incident, Alaila Everett expressed her desire to apologize to Kaelen Tucker.
However, she mentioned that Tucker has not been open to communication. Alaila said, “She has blocked me on social media.”
Social media reactions
One user said: If it were an accident the immediate response should have been to stop and show concern, apologizing sooner than later. Her parents’ response has no credibility.
The second user wrote: What she did was a crime. And even now we still don’t know the full extent of the other girl’s injury. The law needs to get involved in this one
The third user added: There is no way this wasn’t intentional. You can clearly see her being her arm up and hit her.
She should be charged with assault and expelled from school. This is unacceptable.
The fourth user commented: If I were the other young ladies parents, after seeing this I’d run down to the police station to press charges on her heartless ***
Another user said: She’s lying thru her teeth. Literally said “yall are worried about her being physically hurt but not about me mentally” like why tf would they care about that?
She didn’t even check on the other girl after she smacked her with the baton.
She also said “after I hit her a few times with the baton, she then got infront of me and it rolled up her back and she got hit” so you hit her multiple times but it was an accident?
Cry me a river and name it denial.
Someone claimed: Crocodile tears. I hope she gets charged with aggravated assault