A high school track race in Virginia took a shocking turn when a sprinter was charged with assault after striking a competitor in the head with a metal baton. The incident occurred during the second leg of the 4×200 relay at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Championship held at Liberty University in Lynchburg earlier this month.
During the race, I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett struck Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker while running beside her. Video footage captured Everett swinging her baton and appearing to hit Tucker in the head, causing Tucker to drop her baton and run off the track. As a result, the I.C. Norcom High School team was disqualified from the event.
Bethany Harrison, the commonwealth’s attorney for Lynchburg, confirmed that Everett was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery. Tucker later shared her experience in an interview, expressing disbelief over the incident. She stated that she was unaware of what had happened until she was hit and fell off the track. Tucker’s mother revealed that she sustained a slight concussion and a possible skull fracture.
Everett denied any intentional wrongdoing in an interview with Good Morning America, stating that it was never her intention to hit Tucker. She explained that Tucker had been making contact with her arm during the race, which led to her losing balance. As she continued to pump her arms, she said Tucker was unintentionally struck.
Following the incident, I.C. Norcom’s athletic director and Everett’s father contacted Tucker’s parents to apologize, though the two athletes have not spoken directly. Portsmouth Public Schools reported the matter to the VHSL, which is continuing its investigation. The school division has stated that it will fully cooperate and abide by the final ruling of the league.
The Virginia High School League defended its decision to disqualify Everett from the race. Meanwhile, the Portsmouth NAACP is reviewing the incident, and the Lynchburg commonwealth’s attorney has been contacted for further comment.
