Sports
TDHS student athletes move on to the next level.
By Nick DeRatto
Jun 4, 2008 - 10:55:32 AM

Patrick Innes, Kirk Jennings, Patrick O’Connor and Ryan Davis are four of Thomas Dale’s athletes who will be playing at the collegiate level next year.

As the spring sports season winds down, senior athletes are preparing to take their athletic skills to the next level as they get set to enter the collegiate stage this fall. Some of these athletes who have already signed letters of intent to play in college include Patrick Innes, Patrick O’Connor, Ryan Davis, and Kirk Jennings from Thomas Dale High School.

“They are a great group of kids,” says Mark Fowler, boys’ soccer coach at Thomas Dale. “I wish them all the best.”

Representing three different sports, all four seniors will be attending different schools come this fall. From the Dale soccer team, Innes, a midfielder, and O’Connor, a center back, will be attending JMU and Ferrum College, respectively.

“The combination of the social atmosphere and strong academics made JMU a solid fit for my soccer abilities,” says Innes, who received a 25 percent athletic scholarship to the school. “I’m looking forward to being able to play and having some more freedom.”

Innes’ teammate O’Connor selected Ferrum for similar reasons.

“I’m interested in business and marketing, and the school has a 90 percent rate of getting kids in the business world,” says O’Connor. “Ferrum has a great atmosphere and a beautiful campus. It’s in the country and away from everything, which is what I like.”

Davis, a cornerback for the Dale football team, track star, and baseball player, has opted to attend Campbell University this fall. Through a combination of athletic and academic scholarships, Davis will have his entire tuition covered.

“I’m really looking forward to a new experience, new area and playing on a different team. It will be great to get acclimated to different people,” says Davis.

Jennings, a pitcher, first baseman, and designated hitter for Dale’s varsity baseball team, has his sights set on UVA Wise for this fall. Signing a letter of intent to the school this past April, Jennings will receive a 50 percent academic and athletic scholarship.

“When I visited the school, it just felt like the right place for me to play,” says Jennings. “I loved the small school atmosphere. It’s smaller than my high school, so I know that I won’t be just another face in the crowd.”

nderatto@villagepublishing.com | 751-0421



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