PORTSMOUTH, Va. ( WAVY ) — A Portsmouth, Virginia, track athlete is facing an assault and battery charge after an incident during a state-level track meet. Meanwhile, the Portsmouth NAACP is coming to her defense.
Video of the incident appeared to show I.C. Norcom High School senior Alaila Everett hit another runner with a baton during a race at the Class 3 State Indoor Championships earlier this month.
Speaking with Nexstar’s WAVY, Everett said it was an accident . She explained that as she and Kaelen Tucker, a junior at Brookville High School, were competing in the 4×200 meter relay, they nearly collided with each other while rounding a curve on the track.
I.C. Norcom track star speaks out after hitting opponent in head with baton
“After a couple times of hitting her, my baton got stuck behind her back … and it rolled up her back. I lost my balance when I pumped my arms again. She got hit,” Everett said…