Sarah Bates ’13 Signs with Pennsylvania State University

Ellicott City, Maryland – Glenelg Country School ­(GCS) senior, Sarah Bates, of Woodbine, Maryland, will be playing field hockey for Pennsylvania State University next year, a D1 school in University Park, Pennsylvania, under the direction of head coach, Charlene Morett.

Bates ha­s been playing field hockey since elementary school and boasts an impressive high school career. At GCS, Sara was a 4-year Varsity starter in goal (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012), 2-year team captain (2011, 2012), awarded Most Valuable Player (2009), Coaches Award recipient (2012), IAAM B Conference All Start Team (2010, 2011, 2012), Maryland All State Team: Honorable Mention (2010, 2012), Baltimore Sun All Metro Team: Second Team (2012), Washington Post All Metro Team: First Team (2012), Second Team (2010), Honorable Mention (2011), Howard County Times All County Team: First Team (2010, 2011, 2012), and Maryland State Senior All Star Game Selection (2012).

With Bates' skill and leadership, GCS won the B Conference Championship in 2010 and were the B Conference runners up in 2009. Her overall career carries an 89 save percentage with 33 shutouts, and her senior year was a 92.6 save percentage.

Outside of GCS, Bates played for the Ocelots Club team and for the Washington Wolves Club. With the Wolves, she won major tournaments at the National Hockey Festival and Disney Field Hockey Showcase. Additionally, Bates has participated in the Futures Program and has been selected for the National Futures Tournament, Future Elite, and Junior Olympics Teams.

"I chose Penn State for multiple reasons. The school traditions, team atmosphere, and coaching staff immediately drew me in. More importantly, its challenging academics as well as its rigorous field hockey program will shape me into the person and player I am striving to be. It's sad to be moving on from GCS and the experiences I have had here, but I am looking forward to the next four years of my life as a Nittany Lion!"