Latest news with #IndoorTrackStateChampionships
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
High School Runner Charged After Seen Hitting Opponent's Head With Baton
A Virginia high school runner who was filmed striking her opponent in the head with a baton during a track meet earlier this month is now facing a misdemeanor charge of assault and battery. The charge was confirmed to HuffPost Thursday by attorney Bethany Harrison, the commonwealth's attorney for Lynchburg, where the incident occurred, though no additional details were released. Alaila Everett, of IC Norcom High School, was rounding a bend during the Indoor Track State Championships on March 4 when she was filmed striking Kaelen Tucker of Brookville High School after Tucker overtook her on the track. Tucker stumbled to the ground after the blow and was later diagnosed with a concussion and a possible skull fracture, her mother said. In an interview with local station WAVY, Everett said she hit Tucker by accident due to their close proximity, which caused her to lose her balance and swing her arm. 'She was so close to me … I lost my balance and when I pumped my arms again she got hit,' she told the station. 'I can admit from the video that it does look purposeful, but I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose because of jealousy.' Everett said the incident has resulted in death threats and racist attacks by people on social media against her. The Portsmouth NAACP condemned those attacks on Tuesday while coming to her defense. 'We are committed collectively to ensuring that the criminal justice system, which we feel is not warranted in this situation, is executed fairly and based on due process,' the organization said in a statement. 'Alaila is NOT AN ATTACKER and media headlines that allude towards that in any way is shameful.' Teen Left With Concussion After Opponent Bashes Head With Baton During Track Race Gavin Newsom Agrees With Charlie Kirk On 'Deeply Unfair' Trans Athletes Former High School Athlete And Anti-Trans Activist Invited To Trump's Presidential Address 7 Accused Of Pro Athlete Burglary Scheme
Express Tribune
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Virginia high school student left with concussion after baton strike in track race, perpetrator insists it was an accident
Virginia high school student left with concussion after baton strike in track race, perpetrator insists it was an accident A disturbing incident during the Indoor Track State Championships on March 4 in Virginia has left one teen with a concussion after being struck in the head with a baton. The video, which went viral, shows Kaelen Tucker from Brookville High School being hit by her opponent, Alaila Everett of IC Norcom High School, during the 4x200 meter relay. The baton strike caused Tucker to stumble and fall to the ground. Medical examinations revealed she suffered a concussion and a possible skull fracture. Following the incident, IC Norcom High School was disqualified from the event. Tucker's mother, Tamarro Tucker, expressed frustration over the lack of an apology, stating that no one from the opposing team, including the athlete or coaches, reached out. Everett, however, defended her actions in an emotional interview, claiming the strike was an accident. She explained that their close proximity caused her baton to get stuck behind Tucker's back, leading to a loss of balance. "I would never hit somebody on purpose," she stated, stressing that the incident was unintentional. Everett also shared her distress over the backlash she faced on social media, including death threats and racist insults, after the video gained attention. The Virginia High School League (VHSL) has confirmed they are investigating the incident and have reaffirmed the disqualification of Everett's team, maintaining that the priority is player safety. Both Everett and her family continue to assert that she would never intentionally harm anyone, but the incident has sparked significant debate over the role of intent and accountability in youth sports.
