A Portsmouth athlete is facing assault and battery charges after an incident during a state-level track meet. Meanwhile, the Portsmouth NAACP is coming to the defense.

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.