Lip reader reveals what track star said as she bashed rival in the head in viral race

By JOE HUTCHISON and DANIEL MATTHEWS

Published: 18:33 GMT, 11 March 2025 | Updated: 20:58 GMT, 11 March 2025

A lip reader has revealed what a baton-wielding track star said as she hit her opponent in the head in a now-viral incident. 

The clip was captured at the indoor track championships in Virginia when Alaila Everett was seen striking Kaelen Tucker during the 4x200m relay event. 

Tucker was running the second leg of the relay for Lynchburg’s Brookville High School when she passed Everett of I.C. Norcom High School on the outside. 

In the clip, Everett can be seen pulling her right arm back and smacking the baton she was carrying across her opponent’s head.  

Expert Nicola Hickling, who is the founder of LipReader, has now revealed to DailyMail.com that Everett shouted ‘get off’ and ‘hey oh’ as she did. 

Hickling reviewed multiple versions of the footage in coming to her conclusion, while also adding that the quality of the footage made it difficult to be completely certain. 

Everett has since come forward and claimed she has been on the receiving end of death threats and racial attacks over the incident. 

In an interview with Wavy.com on Monday, Everett broke down in tears as she gave her version of events on the viral incident.

In the clip, Everett can be seen pulling her right arm back and smacking the baton she was carrying across her opponent’s head 

Kaelen, pictured at a meet in January, says the runner has not apologized for her actions

She said: ‘Nobody is going to believe me because I can admit from the video it does look purposeful. But I know my intentions and I would never hit anybody on purpose.

‘After a couple times of hitting her, my baton 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.’

Everett insisted there is more to her – and the incident – than first appears in the short clip. 

‘They are assuming my character, calling me ghetto and racial slurs, death threats,’ she said. ‘All of this off of a nine-second video’. 

She added: ‘Everybody has feelings, so you’re physically hurt, but you’re not thinking of my mental (health).

Gasps were heard inside the Liberty Indoor Track Complex as Tucker stumbled and then fell to the ground.

But Everett’s mother was also overcome with emotion as she defended her daughter.

Judges at the meet were able to see the attack and disqualified Norcom’s team for ‘contact interference’ – or physically interfering with another runner’s actions. 

Tucker told local ABC affiliate WSET: ‘I still can’t believe it, I’m in shock. I’m still trying to take it all in, I can’t believe it happened.’

In an interview with Wavy.com on Monday, Everett broke down in tears as she gave her version of events on the viral incident 

Tucker went to pass an opposing runner when she was struck on the head, causing her to fall

She added: ‘Why did you do it, and why haven’t you apologized?’ 

According to WSET, Tucker was treated for a concussion and a possible skull fracture.

Tucker’s mother, Tamarro, told WSET that no one from Norcom came over to check on her daughter – or apologize.

‘No apologies. No coaches. No athlete. No anything. Even if it was an accident, which I don’t believe it was… nothing,’ she said.

Everett claims she has tried to reach out to Tucker but has been blocked on social media. 

The Virginia High School League confirmed they are ‘reviewing the situation’. 

According to Wavy.com, Everett’s family was served with court papers because the Tuckers want a ‘protective order’.

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Lip reader reveals what track star said as she bashed rival in the head in viral race

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