- A highschool sprinter is talking out for the primary time after she was disqualified for hitting an opponent on the top with a baton, calling it an accident
- Alaila Everett says she’s acquired dying threats and racist insults after the video went viral
- Everett’s dad and mom are staying by her facet, saying she’d by no means deliberately harm somebody
A teen monitor star who hit an opponent on the top with a baton throughout a Virginia state championship race is talking out, calling it an accident.
“I do know my intention is that I’d by no means hit anyone on function,” mentioned Alaila Everett, a senior at I.C. Norcom Excessive Faculty, in an emotional interview with native outlet WAVY TV 10.
The teenager’s perspective comes 5 days after the 4×200 meter relay at a state indoor championship at Liberty College, throughout which Everett was seen placing her opponent, Kaelen Tucker, with a baton, based on native information outlet WSLS 10.
The incident on Tuesday, March 4 was captured on video and confirmed Tucker, a junior from Brookville Excessive Faculty, clutching her head and falling in direction of the infield after the hit. Kaelen was later assessed by a physician and was advised she had a concussion and doable cranium fracture, based on the outlet. The I.C. Norcom Excessive Faculty workforce was disqualified from the occasion.
The varsity advised PEOPLE that it instantly reported the incident to the Virginia Excessive Faculty League (VHSL), which is constant an investigation into the matter. “We’re cooperating with the VHSL in its work,” mentioned Dr. Lauren Nolasco, the chief communications officer for Portsmouth Public Faculties. “The division will assist and observe the ruling that comes from the VHSL upon its accomplished investigation.”
Brookville Excessive Faculty has not instantly responded to PEOPLE’s request for remark.
In a press release obtained by PEOPLE, the VHSL stood by the choice to disqualify Everett.
“The VHSL doesn’t touch upon people or disciplinary actions attributable to FERPA. The actions taken by the meet director to disqualify the runner have been applicable and proper,” the group mentioned. “We completely overview each occasion like this that includes participant security with the collaborating faculties. The VHSL membership has all the time made it a precedence to offer student-athletes with a secure setting for competitors.”
Throughout her current interview, Everett claimed that the video is deceptive.
“They’re going off of 1 angle,” she advised WAVY TV 10.
“After a pair instances of hitting her [with her body], my baton obtained caught behind her again like this,” Everett mentioned, gesturing upwards, “and it rolled up her again. I misplaced my steadiness and after I pumped my arms once more, she obtained hit.”
Tucker, who was within the second lane throughout the relay, was seen working near Everett as she tried to overhaul her opponent, per the video. The shut proximity then resulted within the strike to Tucker’s head, Everett claims.
For the reason that incident, Everett mentioned she’s acquired a wave of hatred.
“They’re assuming my character, calling me ghetto, racist slurs, dying threats, all of this, simply due to a nine-second video,” Everett advised WAVY TV 10.
The night after the race, Tucker and her mom, Tamarro Tucker, spoke to WSLS 10. Each questioned why Tucker hadn’t acquired an apology.
“My complete factor was no apology,” Tamarro mentioned within the interview. “Like, no coaches, no athlete, no something. Even when it was an accident — which I don’t imagine it was — however nothing. And it’s been greater than 24 hours now. So I suppose that was the foremost factor. My youngster was harm and no one got here to examine on her.”
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Kaelen echoed her mom’s assertion, telling the outlet she’s been left questioning: “Why did you do it? And why haven’t you apologized but?”
Her opponent mentioned she has tried to apologize, nevertheless it hasn’t been acquired. Everett advised WAVY TV 10 that Kaelen has blocked her on social media. The outlet additionally studies that Everett’s household is being sued by the Tuckers.
Everett’s dad and mom are appalled on the vitriol their daughter has acquired, based on the outlet. And so they’re standing by their daughter.
Everett’s mother advised the outlet that she “didn’t must see a primary video, second video or tenth video. I do know 100% that she would by no means do this to no one.”
