Smack or Track

Track Star Smacked With A Baton During a Race

Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash

A Virginia high school track athlete is currently facing a misconduct charge after a viral video began circulating, showing her running a race and then proceeding to smack one of her opponents behind the head with a baton.

High schoolers Alaila Everett and Kaelen Tucker ran an 800-meter relay at a state finals race on March 4. They were neck to neck as they came closer to the finish line. As they were exiting the curve, Tucker was smacked in the back of the head by Everett. Everett continued to run as Tucker fell off the track holding her onto her head. She was later diagnosed with a concussion. 

Everett spoke out about the incident to WAVY. Everett claimed that they were so close together that she accidentally hit Tucker with the baton. She claims to have lost her balance and that when she pumped her arms again she accidentally hit Tucker. Everett said that she would never intentionally hit someone. Not only was Everett’s team disqualified, Tucker’s family charged her with assault and battery. The Portsmouth NAACP said it was concerning that criminal charges were considered. 

With Everett being a senior and wanting to continue track, this could possibly destroy her reputation. The NAACP said that she is an honor student and not an attacker.