• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Athlete explains why she hit opponent over head with baton that left them being treated for ‘skull fracture’

Home> News> US News

Updated 14:45 10 Mar 2025 GMTPublished 12:01 10 Mar 2025 GMT

Athlete explains why she hit opponent over head with baton that left them being treated for ‘skull fracture’

Alaila Everett gave a tearful interview addressing the incident with Kaelen Tucker

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

A high school athlete who has been accused of smacking her rival in the head during a relay race has spoken out about the controversy.

Alaila Everett has insisted there is more to the baton saga than meets the eye, warning people that they are only seeing 'one angle' of a 'nine second video'.

She is at the centre of a sport row after fellow competitor Kaelen Tucker was left with a concussion and a possible skull fracture in wake of the incident which unfolded at Virginia's Liberty University last Tuesday (4 March).

Advert

Both of the girls were competing in the 4x200m relay final at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 3 State Indoor Championships.

But the competitiveness between them appeared to turn cutthroat when Tucker overtook her opponent.

Take a look at what Everett had to say about the incident here:

Tucker was representing Brookville High School in the second leg of the race when she was hit on the back of the head with a baton.

But according to her rival from I.C. Norcom High School, the powerful strike was not intentional and it was a result of her 'losing her balance' while running.

Advert

Speaking to WAVYTV10, Everett explained: "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."

Her parents added that they 'knew 100 percent' that their daughter did not deliberately hit Tucker, who was seen staggering off the track and falling onto the floor.

Everett has been met by a host of backlash in the sporting community and on social media after footage of the incident went viral.

Everett has insisted she didn't intentionally hit her opponent with the baton (ABC)
Everett has insisted she didn't intentionally hit her opponent with the baton (ABC)

Advert

The tearful teen said: "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."

Tucker seemed to have a different perspective on the baton bashing when she shared her side of the story.

"When you go to the other side of the track, you have to cross into lane one, you have to merge in," Tucker told WSLS. "As I was coming up on her, she kind of like made me get cut off a little bit, so I backed away.

"Then, as we got around the curve, she kept bumping me in my arm. Then finally we got off the curve, I like slowly started passing her and then that’s when she just hit me with the baton and I fell off the track."

Advert

Tucker claims she was struck on the head as she pulled ahead of her opponent while spectators watched on from the stands.

Speaking to ABC13 News about her ordeal, Tucker said: "I still can't believe it, I'm in shock. I'm still trying to take it all in, I can't believe it happened."

According to the publication, the baton-wielding athlete was disqualified by judges for the foul, which is known as 'contact interference'.

The teen shared her side of the story in an emotional interview (WAVY TV 10)
The teen shared her side of the story in an emotional interview (WAVY TV 10)

Tucker's mother, Tamarrow, rushed onto the track to check on her daughter alongside medical staff - although she claims Everett didn't offer any apology for the incident at the time.

Advert

"No apologies," the frustrated parent said. "No coaches. No athlete. No anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don't believe it was... nothing."

Everett insisted she does want to apologise to her injured opponent, but claimed that Tucker has not been 'receptive' and has blocked her on social media.

Her parents also claim that the Tucker family served them with court papers, calling for a protective order to be put in place.

Doctors have been treating Tucker for concussion and a possible skull fracture in the wake of the incident.

"I could feel like a headache coming up, so I just sat out," the high school student also told WSLS. "I recently went to the doctor, and they prescribed me with a concussion and a possible fractured skull."

Tucker's family earlier demanded an apology and an explanation from the fellow relay racer, with the teen saying: "Why did you do it, and why haven't you apologised?"

Tucker was seen stumbling off the track after being struck with the baton (ABC)
Tucker was seen stumbling off the track after being struck with the baton (ABC)

According to the high school student's mother, the VHSL said it has launched an investigation into the incident.

VHSL told ABC13 that the 'actions taken by the meet director was appropriate and correct', adding that the incident was 'a serious issue, especially when it involves the safety of athletes in competitions'.

Tucker said they have also contacted the runner's parents and I.C. Norcom AD, who both later said sorry on her behalf.

"They were beside us at the event," the family added. "They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologised or came to check on her.

"Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her."

LADbible has contacted VHSL for further comment.

Featured Image Credit: ABC

Topics: US News, Sport, Health

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

7 hours ago
8 hours ago
9 hours ago
  • LinkedInLinkedIn
    7 hours ago

    Nurse awarded £25,000 after colleague rolled her eyes at her

    The non-verbal eye-roll gesture can class as workplace bullying

    News
  • CBS NewsCBS News
    7 hours ago

    Heartwarming act after homeless man handed in $10,000 cheque he found on street

    Elmer Alvarez's life was changed after he committed one act of kindness

    News
  • Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLCJeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
    8 hours ago

    Dana White confirms White House UFC event 'is on' despite people calling out 'trashy' event

    White and Trump have promised a different type of event for the 4th of July

    News
  • USTAUSTA
    9 hours ago

    Heartwarming ending to viral video of shocking moment between man and child at tennis match

    Kamil Majchrzak responded after the match, and fans are pleased with the outcome

    News
  • Athlete who was hit by opponent with baton speaks out after being treated for 'skull fracture'
  • Footage shows new angle of viral moment athlete hit opponent over the head with baton as she faces assault charge
  • Alternative footage shows new angle of viral moment athlete hit opponent over head with baton
  • Runner who hit opponent over head with baton shares new footage of incident as she faces assault charge