The track star seen hitting her opponent with a baton in a shocking incident has remarkably claimed it was an accident.
The indoor track championships in Virginia were marred when Alaila Everett was seen striking Kaelen Tucker during the 4x200m relay event of the VSHL Class 3 State Indoor Championships.
Tucker was running the second leg of the relay for Lynchburg’s Brookville High School when she passed Tucker of I.C. Norcom High School.
Everett, who claimed she has since been on the receiving end of death threats and racial slurs, broke down in tears as she gave her version of events on the viral incident.
She told Wavy.com: ‘I know my intentions and I would never hit someone on purpose.’
She added: ‘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 and, when I pumped my arms again, she got hit.’
Brookville High School runner Kaelen Tucker (circled) was hit on the head with a baton
Alaila Everett broke down in tears as she claimed ‘I would never hit someone on purpose’
Gasps were heard inside the Liberty Indoor Track Complex as Tucker stumbled and then fell to the ground.
But Everett’s mother was also overcome with emotion as she defender her daughter.
‘I didn’t have to see a first video, second video or tenth video. I know 100 percent that she would never do that to nobody,’ Zeketa Cost said.
I.C. Norcom High School was disqualified following the incident for ‘contact interference’ – or physically interfering with another runner’s actions.
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