The track star seen hitting her opponent in the head with a baton in a shocking incident has remarkably claimed it was an accident.
The indoor track championships in Virginia were marred when Alaila Everett was seen striking Kaelen Tucker during the 4x200m relay event of the VSHL Class 3 State Indoor Championships.
Tucker was running the second leg of the relay for Lynchburg’s Brookville High School when she passed Everett of I.C. Norcom High School on the outside.
Everett, who claimed she has since been on the receiving end of death threats and racial slurs, broke down in tears as she gave her version of events on the viral incident.
She told Wavy.com: ‘Nobody is going to believe me because I can admit from the video it does look purposeful. But I know my intentions and I would never hit anybody on purpose.’
She added: ‘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 and, when I pumped my arms again, she got hit.’
Brookville High School runner Kaelen Tucker (circled) was hit on the head with a baton
Alaila Everett broke down in tears as she claimed ‘I would never hit someone on purpose’
Everett insisted there is more to her – and the incident – than first appears in the short clip. ‘They are assuming my character, calling me ghetto and racial slurs, death threats,’ she said. ‘All of this off of a nine-second video.’
She added: ‘Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt, but you’re not thinking of my mental (health).
Gasps were heard inside the Liberty Indoor Track Complex as Tucker stumbled and then fell to the ground.
But Everett’s mother was also overcome with emotion as she defended her daughter.
‘I didn’t have to see a first video, second video or tenth video. I know 100percent that she would never do that to nobody,’ Zeketa Cost said.
I.C. Norcom High School was disqualified following the incident for ‘contact interference’ – or physically interfering with another runner’s actions.
Afterwards, Tucker said: ‘I still can’t believe it, I’m in shock…I’m still trying to take it all in, I can’t believe it happened.’
She added: ‘Why did you do it, and why haven’t you apologized?’
Gasps were heard inside the Liberty Indoor Track Complex as Tucker stumbled and then fell
Kaelen, pictured at a meet in January, claimed Everett has not apologized for her actions
According to WSET, Tucker was treated for a concussion and a possible skull fracture.
Tucker’s mother, Tamarro, told WSET that no one from Norcom came over to check on her daughter – or apologize.
‘No apologies. No coaches. No athlete. No anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don’t believe it was… nothing,’ she said.
Everett claims she has tried to reach out to Tucker but has been blocked on social media. The Virginia High School League confirmed they are ‘reviewing the situation’. According to Wavy.com, Everett’s family was served with court papers because the Tuckers want a ‘protective order’.
