The I.C. Norcom student and track star who faces an assault and battery charge after her baton struck and injured another runner during a track race last week reiterated Thursday that the incident did not happen on purpose and thanked people for supporting her and believing in her.

One misdemeanor charge of assault and battery was taken out in this matter,” Bethany Harrison, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Lynchburg, wrote in an email to The Pilot on Thursday

Portsmouth rallied behind Alaila Everett, a 17-year-old who is facing backlash and a criminal charge after hitting her opponent with her baton during a track race.