High school athletics often bring out fierce competition, but one race at Liberty University took an unexpected and alarming turn.
A championship relay event turned controversial when a young sprinter was left with serious injuries after an intense moment on the track.
The incident unfolded during the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 3 State Indoor Championships on March 7.
Among the top competitors was Brookville High School’s junior sprinter, Kaelen Tucker, who was determined to continue her impressive form.
Tucker had already made headlines earlier in the meet by setting a record in the 55-meter dash, making her a standout in the competition.
As she stepped onto the track for the second leg of the 4×200 meter relay, expectations were high for another strong performance.
However, what was meant to be a thrilling race soon took an unexpected and shocking turn in the middle of the track.
Tucker found herself running alongside I.C. Norcom High School’s senior sprinter, Alaila Everett, as they jostled for position.
In high-speed relays, runners often experience close contact, but this time, things spiraled into something much more serious.
Tucker described the intense moment as the two athletes pushed forward through the curve of the track.
“On the back curve, I kind of got cut off, and I tried to pass her the first time, so I let her go ahead,” Tucker told WSET ABC 13.
“I knew when I got fully on the curve that I was just going to have to push through past her,” she added, recalling the intense battle.
“As we were coming up in the middle of the curve, we were bumping arms a lot. So, I got a little 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 the baton,” Tucker stated.
What happened next sent shockwaves through the crowd as the impact caused Tucker to stumble off the track.
Spectators gasped in horror as she clutched her head before collapsing onto the infield, unable to continue the race.
Her mother, Tamarro Tucker, rushed from the stands as medical personnel quickly surrounded the injured runner.
“The whole section just gasped. We had family come from out of town, her godparents were here from Myrtle Beach,” Tamarro said.
“Everybody just gasped. When I saw her go down, all I could do was run out of the bleachers. I just knew I had to get to her.”
The video of the moment quickly went viral, leading to intense debate on social media over what truly happened.
Many users accused Everett of an intentional attack, with calls for her to be banned from the sport.
However, Everett, speaking through tears, denied any wrongdoing in an interview with WAVY TV 10.
“Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt but you’re not thinking about my mental [health], right?” Everett asked.
“They are going off of one angle,” she said, insisting she had no intention of harming Tucker.
“After a couple of times of hitting her with my baton, I 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. I know my intentions, and I would never hit somebody on purpose.”
Despite Everett’s defense, the controversy escalated as Tucker’s family took legal action against her.
Everett’s parents confirmed they had received court papers as Tucker’s family is seeking a protective order.
Tucker’s family also claimed Everett never apologized for the incident, although Everett insists she tried to reach out.
She stated that Tucker blocked her on social media and has refused any communication following the race.
As debates continue, the incident has left the high school track community divided on whether it was an accident or something more.
With Tucker recovering from a concussion and a potential skull fracture, her future in track remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Everett faces backlash and legal proceedings, as both families remain on opposite sides of this heated controversy.
Featured Image Credit: (Facebook)
