Alaila Everett, a senior track star at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, VA, is speaking out after viral footage showed her striking an opponent in the head with a baton during the VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships. Everett insists the incident was accidental and says the backlash has been overwhelming.
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“Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt, but you’re not thinking of my mental,” Everett shared in a recent interview with WAVY-TV, emphasizing that the viral clip doesn’t tell the full story.
The incident occurred during the 4×200 meter relay when Everett and Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School in Lynchburg, nearly collided while rounding a curve. Everett claims her baton got caught behind Tucker’s back as they ran closely together.
“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 when I pumped my arms again. She got hit,” Everett explained. “I know my intentions, and I would never hit someone on purpose.”
The video quickly sparked backlash online, with Everett facing accusations of intentionally striking Tucker. Everett’s parents, however, say they have no doubt about their daughter’s character.
“I didn’t have to see a first video, second video, or tenth video. I know 100 percent that she would never do that to nobody,” said Everett’s mother, Zeketa Cost.
The controversy led to Everett’s team being disqualified from the race, a decision former Citywide Athletic Director for Portsmouth Public Schools, Vincent Pugh, questioned. Pugh noted that track regulations require a runner to be a full stride ahead before cutting in front of another competitor, suggesting that Tucker’s proximity contributed to the incident.
“If a person comes up on the outside, they got to be a full stride ahead of me before they can cut in front of me,” Pugh explained.
The fallout has been intense. Everett said she’s received death threats, racial slurs, and messages questioning her character.
“They are assuming my character, calling me ghetto and racial slurs, death threats… all of this off of a nine-second video,” she said.
Everett also shared that she’s attempted to reach out to Tucker to apologize but has been blocked on social media. The Everett family was also served court papers, with the Tuckers seeking a protective order.
“It doesn’t seem right that this would happen, and now we have to go to a city three hours away that everyone hates our guts already,” said Everett’s father, Genoa Everett.
Mike McCall, Director of Communications for the Virginia High School League, released a statement regarding the incident:
“We don’t comment on individuals or disciplinary actions. I can tell you that the actions taken by the meet director were appropriate and correct. We are still reviewing the situation but that’s all I have for you right now. It’s a serious issue, especially when it involves the safety of athletes in competitions.”
Portsmouth Public Schools also confirmed their cooperation with VHSL’s investigation.
“The division immediately reported the incident to the Virginia High School League (VHSL), which is still investigating. We are cooperating with the VHSL in its work. The division will support and follow the ruling that comes from the VHSL upon its completed investigation,” said Lauren Nolasco, Portsmouth Public Schools Director of Communications.
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