PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Alaila Everett, a senior track star at I.C. Norcom High School, is speaking out after a viral video showed her striking an opponent in the head with her baton during a relay race, an incident she says was accidental.
Everett and Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, were competing in the 4×200 meter relay at the Class 3 State Indoor Championships when they nearly collided. Everett explained, “After a couple times of hitting her, my baton got stuck behind her back … and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again. She got hit.”
Everett insisted she had no intention of hitting Tucker. “I know my intentions and I would never hit someone on purpose,” she said. However, the incident led to Everett’s team being disqualified.
Her parents defended her, with her mother Zeketa Cost stating, “I know 100 percent that she would never do that to nobody.” Her father, Genoa Everett, expressed frustration over the backlash, including death threats and racial slurs directed at his daughter.
The Tuckers are now seeking a protective order against Everett and have blocked her on social media. Everett said she attempted to apologize but was unsuccessful. “They are assuming my character, calling me ghetto and racial slurs, death threats… all of this off of a nine second video,” she said.
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) released a statement confirming the meet director’s actions were “appropriate and correct” and that they are still reviewing the incident. Portsmouth Public Schools also confirmed they are cooperating with the VHSL investigation and will follow any ruling made.
