The High School senior who knocked out her opponent during a relay race said the baton controversy was an accident. Alaila Everett, a senior at I.C. Norcom, said she never meant to attack her opponent. She also claimed to have suffered emotional damage because of the incident and asked for the public’s understanding. Her mother also addressed the baton controversy and insisted on her daughter’s innocence.
Track Star Addresses Baton Controversy
The track star accused of hitting her High School opponent during a relay race has spoken out. In an interview with WavyNews10, the I.C. Norcom senior, Alaila, burst into tears as she addressed the baton controversy.
“After a couple times of hitting her, my baton got stuck behind her back like this, and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again,” Alaila said.
She added:
“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 said on Saturday, March 8.
Track Star’s Mom Blames Opponent and Her Parents
Meanwhile, Alaila’s mom, Genoa Everett, also posted about the baton controversy on Facebook. She expressed disappointment about the piling on her daughter. Additionally, she blamed her daughter’s opponent and her parents for the incident.
“It’s a shame how so many people judge before they know facts. My daughter is facing backlash and threats from strangers as well as legal action because grownups decided to lie in person and on the news about an incident that was initiated by their child,” Genoa wrote.
She continued:
“My child was almost knocked off the track by her competitor that approached from the rear and illegally cut her off causing her to lose her balance. The child and her parents claim my daughter struck her on purpose multiple times.”
Genoa added that her daughter didn’t make contact with her opponent, who cut her off. She said she was tired of seeing her daughter have her “character assassinated.” Genoa noted that accidents happen at such events and insisted that her daughter was innocent.
Track Meet Victim Speaks Out
The baton controversy that has sparked viral reactions online happened on Tuesday during a High School relay competition. During the event, Alaila could be seen hitting her opponent on the back of her head in the event footage. This caused her opponent, Kaelen Tucker, to lose her balance and fall. Tucker suffered a concussion and a potential skull fracture due to being hit with a relay baton. She got hit while trying to cut into lane one to overtake Alaila and come in second.
Tucker’s school pulled out of the competition after her injury, while Alaila’s school was disqualified due to the baton controversy.
“When we get onto the other side of the track we have to cross to lane one, you have to merge in, and as I was coming up on her she kind of made me get cut off a little bit so I backed away. When we got to the curve she kept bumping me in my arm and when we got off the curve I finally passed her and that was when she hit me with the baton. I could feel a headache coming up, so I just stood out,” Tucker said.
Kaelen Tucker’s Parents File A Lawsuit
Meanwhile, Tucker’s parents have slammed their daughter’s assailant with a lawsuit. They told WSLS that neither Alaila nor her coach or mother apologized or checked their daughter’s health.
“They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologized or came to check on her. Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her,” Tucker’s parents said.
Her mother added that the sporting body has launched an investigation into the incident.
Alaila Everett’s Relative Defends Her
Meanwhile, Alaila Everett’s cousin, who goes by @_.micheve on Instagram and @naeniceyyyy on TikTok, defended her. She posted a video of the race to prove Alaila didn’t intentionally hit the Virginia Brookville High School junior. The footage showed a different view of the race. @Naeniceyyyy insisted on Alaila’s innocence and also shared the latter’s apology video on her Instagram story.
She captioned it:
“Will forever have your back through whatever and against whoever. But better than that, GOD HAS U!!! I don’t play bout her is my siblings, so it’s best to tread lightly.”
Meanwhile, most people opine that the baton incident was intentional, and Alaila only apologized due to the controversy. Some have also urged the sporting body to discipline the track sprinter to prevent another occurrence.
#Clique, do you think Alaila hit her opponent intentionally? Let us know in the comments.
