After Being Accused of Baton Attack, High School Runner Alaila Everett Speaks Out

The high school athlete has spoken out after using a baton to attack a rival runner during a relay event in the USA on March 5 (AEDT). Video of Alaila Everett using her baton to slap a fellow runner on the back of the head went viral, putting her in the public eye.

When Tucker was hit during the 4×200-meter relay final at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 3 State Indoor Championships, Everett and Tucker were vying for position around the last turn.

She was hospitalized for a concussion and possibly a fractured skull when Tucker instantly lost her balance and fell to the ground, holding her head. Speaking up a week after the event, Everett declared she would never intentionally attack someone, claiming the two had tangled arms and the baton struck her opponent as she tried to regain her balance.

WAVYTV10 heard Everett say: “After a couple times of hitting her with my baton, I got stuck behind her back and (the baton) rolled up her back,” “I lost my balance, and when I pumped my arms again, she got hit. I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose.”

The senior at I.C. Norcom High School sobbed as she described the impact the incident had on her. She stated: “Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt but you are not thinking about my mental, right? They are going off of one angle,” “They’re assaulting my character, calling me ghetto, racist slurs, death threats, all of this, just because of a nine second video.”

Fans and media react to Alaila Everett’s justification for the Baton attack

However, the interview didn’t go well, as viewers swiftly criticized the teenager and her parents for not accepting responsibility for the incident in the WAVY TV10 video that was put to YouTube. Some of the comments were:

• “This generation is cooked. The lack of accountability is incredible.”
• “Did she really say that?? ‘You’re physically hurt, but you’re not thinking about my mentality?!’ Young girl and her parents are messed up. Charges should be filed. And that comment should be used against her in court. Unbelievable. Smdh.”
•  “She didn’t lose her balance she lost her temper. They really jumped out in front of this and complained that they gotta drive a ways to face consequences. The parents not even showing accountability. Easy to see where the daughter got it from.”
•  “The father complaining about having to drive hours away for their daughters punishment, shows her parents don’t take any accountability.”

The indignation was not confined to the YouTube comment section, as no one on X believed the athlete’s justification.

On X, former news anchor Anita Padilla posted:  “Stop with the crocodile tears. You did not lose your balance. You lost your integrity and tried to pull a “Tonya Harding” in front of everyone and now you want us all to believe it was a “misunderstanding”. Please.”

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