by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
Will Bates just got a cherry on his sundae.
The all-everything soccer standout at Thomas Dale was just named a Parade All-American.
"It's been a good four years between winning a state championship and doing well throughout high school," Bates said. "I give a lot of credit to my family for pushing me day in and day out, as well as my coaches.
"The team's been great. We've had a great team for four years. To earn an honor like that is a great personal goal but overall the team's done well in general."
Bates was a four-year starter at Dale as the Knights captured the state crown in his freshman season, 2006.
This year he was the Central District and Central Region player of the year, and is a sure-fire all-DigitalSports and all-Metro POY as well.
He's the second Dale student-athlete to receive the honor, as running back
Ken Oxendine turned the feat in 1993 before starring as a Virginia Tech Hokie and playing in the NFL.
"I actually didn't know too much about the honor before this," Bates said. "I've never dreamed of it. But it's nice to have it now."
