New Footage Shows Different Angle of Controversial Track Baton Incident
New footage has emerged showing a different perspective of the moment when junior sprinter Kaelen Tucker was struck by a rival’s baton during a relay race in Virginia, adding complexity to a story that went viral across social media platforms.
Last week during the VHSL Class 3 State Indoor Championships 4×200-meter relay race in Virginia, what should have been a standard high school track competition became the center of controversy. The incident occurred during the second leg of the race when Brookville High School’s Kaelen Tucker appeared to be hit with a baton by Alaila Everett as she attempted to pass her competitor.
Tucker immediately stumbled off the track while holding her head and was unable to complete the race. Officials disqualified Everett’s Norcom team for contact interference, while Tucker suffered what was described as a “slight concussion” and was examined for a potential skull fracture.
In an interview with WSET ABC News, Tucker recounted the incident: “As we were coming up to the middle of the curve, we were bumping arms a lot. So I got more on the outside of the curve to go around her. When I finally pushed through to get in front of her, that’s when she hit me in the head with a baton.”
Tucker expressed her shock at what happened: “I was so in disbelief. I didn’t know what happened – I just got hit in the head and fell off the track. No one [from the opposition] at the time came up and checked on me or anything.”
New Evidence and Runner’s Response to Allegations
The Virginia High School League launched an investigation after being notified by Tucker’s mother. However, the narrative has taken a turn as Everett has now shared her perspective, claiming the contact was not intentional.
“After a couple times of hitting her with my baton, I got stuck behind her back and [the baton] rolled up her back,” Everett explained to WAVYTV10. “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 newly released slow-motion footage from behind appears to support Everett’s account that the collision was accidental rather than deliberate. This additional angle provides important context that wasn’t visible in the original viral video.
Everett appeared visibly emotional during her interview, revealing the serious consequences she’s faced since the incident went viral:
- Received death threats from strangers
- Been targeted with racist remarks
- Had her character publicly attacked
- Experienced significant mental health challenges
“Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt but you are not thinking about my mental health, right? They are going off of one angle,” Everett stated. “They’re assaulting my character, calling me ghetto, racist slurs, death threats, all of this, just because of a nine-second video.”
Tucker’s mother expressed disappointment that neither Everett nor her coach checked on her daughter or reached out afterward. Everett, however, claims she attempted to contact Tucker through social media but discovered she had been blocked.
This incident highlights the complex nature of competitive sports conflicts and how viral videos showing partial evidence can lead to severe consequences for young athletes before all facts are established.
If you’ve witnessed or experienced sports-related incidents that were misrepresented online, share your story with our sports ethics team today. Contact us to help promote fair representation and proper investigation of athletic competitions and incidents.