13-03-2025
High school runner who struck opponent with baton faces misdemeanor charge
Alaila Everett, the high school runner who struck an opponent with her baton during a relay race, has been charged with one count of misdemeanor assault and battery in connection with the incident, which was captured on now-viral video.
Everett, a senior at I.C. Norcom High School in Portsmouth, Virginia, was running the second leg of the 4x200-meter relay March 4 in the Virginia High School League Class 3 indoor championships when her baton struck Kaelen Tucker, a Brookville High School junior, in the head. Bethany Harrison, commonwealth's attorney for the city of Lynchburg, confirmed that Everett had been charged. The meet was held at Lynchburg's Liberty University.
