A lip reader has revealed what a high school runner allegedly said to her opponent moment before she “attacked” her with a baton.
Social media has been left divided after a high school track meet in Virginia took a shocking turn when a runner was hit on the head with a baton during a 4×200-meter relay.
Following the viral footage of the race, a heated debate over whether the act was intentional or an unfortunate accident ignited, as both young athletes shared their version of events.
The incident occurred on March 7 at the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University, where I.C. Norcom High School’s Alaila Everett allegedly struck Brookville High School junior Kaelen Tucker during a crucial exchange.
A Heated Battle for Position Ends in Controversy
As Everett and Tucker sprinted around turn four, both fighting for second place, the competition escalated. Tucker attempted to move into lane one, squeezing past Everett, who seemed to resist the maneuver.
“When we got to the curve, she kept bumping me in my arm, and when we got off the curve, I finally passed her, and that was when she hit me with the baton,” Tucker told WSLS.
Footage of the race shows Everett swinging her baton at Tucker’s head, sending the 16-year-old stumbling off the track.
She immediately grabbed her head in pain before collapsing to the ground. Everett appeared to make a second striking motion but missed before dropping her baton and continuing to run.
Tucker was later diagnosed with a concussion and was being monitored for a potential skull fracture, forcing her to sit out the remainder of her season—a devastating setback after she had just set a meet record in the 55-meter dash, per the New York Post.
Lip Reader Weighs In On Footage
Lip-reading expert Nicola Hickling analyzed the viral footage of the baton incident and shared her interpretation of what was said during the heated moment on the track.
According to Hickling, Everett appeared to shout “Get off” and “hey oh” just before swinging her baton at Tucker, she tells the Daily Mail.
While the audio quality of the video was poor due to the distance and speed of the race, Hickling used her expertise to assess Everett’s lip movements and determine her likely word.
Some believe that Everett’s alleged words, particularly “Get off,” suggest frustration or an attempt to prevent Tucker from overtaking her. However, others argue that without clear audio, it remains uncertain whether Everett’s words were aggressive or simply part of the natural chaos of a high-intensity race.
Everett’s Defense: ‘It Was an Accident’
Everett has since maintained that the contact was unintentional, claiming she lost her balance mid-race.
“After a couple of times of hitting her with my baton, I got stuck behind her back, and [the baton] rolled up her back,” she explained in an interview with 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.”
A second camera angle, released by WAVYTV10, appears to show the moment from behind.
Everett believes this footage supports her claim, though others remain unconvinced.
Backlash and Legal Action
The viral video quickly ignited debate on social media, with many calling for disciplinary action against Everett. But the fallout hasn’t just been criticism — Everett claims she has been subjected to racial slurs and death threats.
“They are assuming my character, calling me ‘ghetto’ and racial slurs, death threats… all of this off of a nine-second video,” she told WAVY.
Everett said she attempted to reach out to Tucker to apologize but was blocked on social media.
Tucker’s family, however, insists neither Everett nor her coach made any attempt to check on their daughter after the race.
“They were beside us at the event. They were watching the video at the event, but no one apologized or came to check on her,” Tucker’s parents told WSLS. “Even if it was a fluke or freak accident, you still would check on her.”
The incident led to I.C. Norcom’s disqualification from the race, and Tucker’s family has since filed a protective order against Everett.
The Virginia High School League (VHSL) confirmed an investigation is underway.
“The actions taken by the meet director to disqualify the runner were appropriate and correct,” the organization told PEOPLE. “We thoroughly review every instance like this that involves player safety with the participating schools. The VHSL membership has always made it a priority to provide student-athletes with a safe environment for competition.”
As the investigation continues, the incident remains a divisive topic, with strong opinions on both sides.
Was this a case of poor sportsmanship or an unfortunate mid-race accident? The debate rages on.