What About ‘My Mental?’ Teen Runner Claims Baton Hit Was Accidental, Issues No Apology [WATCH]

A high school track and field race in Virginia turned violent when a runner was caught on camera repeatedly striking an opponent with a baton. Now, the athlete at the center of the controversy is speaking out, claiming it was all a misunderstanding.

I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett delivered a brutal hit to Brookville junior Kaelen Tucker’s head during a relay event, resulting in a concussion and a possible skull fracture, as reported by Fox News.

Despite the shocking footage, Everett insists the incident was accidental, blaming a loss of balance and an awkward grip on her baton.

“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. She got hit. I know my intentions, and I would never hit someone on purpose.”

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While Tucker was left with serious injuries, Everett seemed more concerned about the emotional toll the backlash has taken on her.

“Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt, but you’re not thinking of my mental. They are assuming my character, calling me ghetto and racial slurs, death threats… all of this off of a nine-second video.”

Everett’s mother, Zeketa Cost, echoed her daughter’s defense, insisting that the attack was not intentional.

“I didn’t have to see a first video, second video, or tenth video. I know 100% that she would never do that to nobody.”

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However, the Tucker family remains unconvinced. According to Kaelen Tucker’s mother, Tamarrow Tucker, no apology was ever made.

“My whole thing was no apology. No coaches, no athlete, no anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don’t believe it’s an accident, but nothing. It’s been more than 24 hours now, so I guess that was the major thing. My child was hurt and nobody came to check on her.”

Tucker described the moment the baton came crashing down on her daughter, saying that the crowd in the stands reacted in horror.

“The whole section just gasped. We had family come from out of town, her godparents were here from Myrtle Beach. Everybody just gasped. When I saw her go down, all I could do is run out of the bleachers. I just knew I had to get to her. She was kind of hysterical because she just couldn’t believe that’s what had happened.”

By the time she reached her daughter, medics were already attending to her on the track.

As a result of the incident, Everett and her entire relay team were disqualified for “contact interference.”

However, some, including Vincent Pugh, the former citywide athletic director at Portsmouth Public Schools, questioned the disqualification, suggesting that the race dynamics may have played a role in the collision.

“If a person comes up on the outside, they got to be a full stride ahead of me before they can cut in front of me,” Pugh told WAVY.

The Virginia High School League (VHSL) weighed in on the matter with Fox News Digital, but avoided discussing specifics.

“The VHSL does not comment on individuals or disciplinary actions due to FERPA. The actions taken by the meet director to disqualify the runner were appropriate and correct. We thoroughly review every instance like this that involves player safety with the participating schools. The VHSL membership has always made it a priority to provide student-athletes with a safe environment for competition.”

As the legal ramifications unfold, Everett’s family claims they have been served court papers over the incident. Meanwhile, any attempt to apologize appears to have fallen flat, as Tucker has reportedly blocked Everett on social media.

While Everett remains adamant that she did nothing wrong, the backlash continues, and for Tucker, the road to recovery is just beginning.