High school runner claims she's received death threats after hitting opponent with baton
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA: A high school senior Alaila Everett, who has been in the news lately after allegedly hitting her race opponent with a baton, has revealed that people online are abusing her and sending death threats.
Everett was participating with Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker in a 4×200 meter relay at the VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University on Tuesday, March 4, when the incident happened.
NEW: High school track runner gets attacked with a baton in the middle of a relay at the VSHL Class 3 State Indoor Championships.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) March 9, 2025
Kaelen Tucker was on the second leg of the 4x200m relay at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, when she got smacked in the head.
Tucker suffered a… pic.twitter.com/DXPMwZcaRP
Videos going viral appeared to show the IC Norcom High School senior smacking Tucker from behind as she passed her during the second leg of the race.
IC Norcom High School team was disqualified from the championship following the incident. After her medical evaluation, it was found that Tucker had suffered a concussion and a possible fractured skull.
IC Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett claims she received death threats after striking her opponent
Denying any wrongdoing, Alaila Everett claimed, "I’m just a person by myself. Nobody is going to believe me because I can admit that from the video it does look purposeful, but I know my intentions, and I would never hit somebody on purpose.”
She further mentioned that "everybody has feelings. So you’re physically hurt, but you’re not thinking of my mental [health], right? I lost my balance and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit."
"They’re assuming my character, calling me ghetto, racist slurs, death threats, all of this, just because of a nine-second video," Everett added, as per BET.com.
Alaila Everett's parents side with her
Alaila Everett’s parents, Genoa and Zeketa Cost, recently said that they have been served by Kaelen Tucker's parents. The Brookville High School junior and her family are seeking a protective order against the alleged attacker, as per the Daily Mail.
"It doesn’t seem right that this would happen and now we have to go to a city three hours away where everyone hates our guts already," Genoa shared.
Earlier, Genoa defended her daughter on Facebook, writing, "According to Virginia state track rules and regulations, my daughter was cut off illegally and that’s what caused the incidental contact. Look at article 4," referring to an attached picture of rules and regulations.
"There is no way so many adults should be criminalizing a young lady/minor without checking facts. Y’all literally watch one video and ask no questions from people that are only looking for attention and likes whether it be the news stations or social media platforms," she added.
"When will we start to protect our youth and give them the benefit of the doubt because all of them are not dangerous or criminals. Please look at my other post for pictures and videos?" Genoa added.
