PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — The Portsmouth NAACP has come to the defense of a Portsmouth athlete who faces an assault and battery charge after an incident during a state-level track meet last week.
I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett faces the misdemeanor charge, according to the Lynchburg Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, after a video went viral showing an incident in which she hit Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker with a baton during the 4×200 meter relay at the Virginia High School League’s Class 3 indoor track state championships. I.C. Norcom was disqualified after the race.
Everett called the incident an accident and said she made attempts to apologize on social media, but was blocked.
See the video in question below:
In a statement released March 12, Portsmouth NAACP said in all caps, “Alaila is NOT AN ATTACKER” and shamed some media coverages portraying her as such. The statement denounces the use of racial slurs and threats that have been directed toward the athlete.
The NAACP expressed thoughts and prayers for both the runners impacted and their families as the gravity of the incident weighs on them. The statement also states they were informed of the possibility of criminal charges being brought, and called it “concerning” and “not warranted.”
Numerous accounts of this incident have been reported, including track and field officials weighing in on the ruling, as well as accounts from both runners and their families. Videos of the incident have gone viral, with many people having judged and ridiculed Everett, a senior at I.C. Norcom.
Everett’s family has been served with court papers as the Tuckers seek a protective order, even as they are saying they want an apology from the athlete.
Mike McCall, director of communications for the Virginia High School League, released a statement directly to 10 On Your Side:
“We don’t comment on individuals or disciplinary actions. I can tell you that the actions taken by the meet director were appropriate and correct. We are still reviewing the situation but that’s all I have for you right now. It’s a serious issue especially when it involves the safety of athletes in competitions.”
Additionally, Lauren Nolasco, Portsmouth Public Schools director of communications, provided the following statement:
“The division immediately reported the incident to the Virginia High School League (VHSL), which is still investigating. We are cooperating with the VHSL in its work. The division will support and follow the ruling that comes from the VHSL upon its completed investigation.”
Alaila Everett’s account
10 On Your Side spoke with Everett, who said that the baton contact was an accident after she lost her balance. During the interview, Everett got emotional when describing the threats and racial slurs she has received.
Watch her full interview:
Everett admitted that the video looked bad, but said she knows her intentions and would never hit another runner on purpose.
Everett’s account of the race seems to match up with what could’ve happened in the video, though many critics have argued it looked intentional. Everett described how the runner was getting too close while trying to cut in and Everett’s baton snagged, causing her to lose balance. While pumping her arms, she accidentally hit her competitor, Everett said. After the initial hit, Everett said she kept the baton up while running to try to prevent from hitting her a second time — a move some social media comments described as “winding up again.”
After Tucker fell, Everett said she wanted to check on her, but after she finished the race, she saw people already swarming to Tucker and was instructed by her coach to do her cooldown.
Everett’s parents said they know their daughter’s character and know her actions were not intentional.
“I didn’t have to see a first video, second video or 10th video,” said Everett’s mother, Zeketa Cost. “I know 100% that she would never do that to nobody.”
“We should not have adults attacking young children on either side,” said Genoa Everett, Alaila’s father.
Everett’s parents made contact with Tucker’s parents and apologized while Everett was at school.
Kaelen Tucker’s account
Tucker, a junior, has spoken publicly about the incident to WSLS. She said she was diagnosed with a concussion and possible skull fracture after going to the hospital.
Tucker’s parents said they received an apology from I.C. Norcom athletic director Les Young and Everett’s parents. They also want one from the coach and Everett herself, though Young also serves as the I.C. Norcom track coach for both its indoor and outdoor teams.
Vincent Pugh, former citywide athletic director at Portsmouth Public Schools
Pugh said that when a runner gets hurt, it’s easier to overlook the root issue that caused the injury — in this case, saying it was Tucker who cut in prematurely on the curve. He said he believes that if an official was there, Tucker would’ve gotten a yellow flag.
“In a race involving a curve, where lanes are not specified, a competitor may move on the inside or outside of the track provided the runner is one full runners stride — approximately seven feet, alright — in advance of the competitor whose path was crossed,” Pugh said, citing Article Four of the rules.
The two runners had standout moments in the meet prior to the incident.
Tucker finished second in the 55 meters. Everett, meanwhile, finished third in the triple jump and 11th overall in the long jump, and she missed qualifying for the finals in the 55 meter hurdles by just two one-hundredths of a second.
Continue to check WAVY.com for updates.