JKLM`s Snowflake Tribune
Where Every Story Is Unique
EVAN BATES
Height: 6'2"
Level: Senior
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Mich.
Date of Birth: 02/23/1989
Discipline: Ice Dance
Coach: Igor Shpilband
Choreographer: Igor Shpilband
Competes For: United States
Want to keep track of Evan Bates
Bates Getting Started
Evan has an older brother and an older sister. When he was 4 years old his mother took his sister to skating lessons. Every time they went Evans mother “lost him.” Soon after his mother put him into classes.
Before the 2014 Sochi Olympics
In 2000 figure skaters Evan Bates and Emily Samuelson began their skating career together. They accomplished many titles together. They won the bronze medal at the 2001 U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships. Went on to win the 2002 Intermediate Ice Dance title. In 2004 the duo won the bronze medal at the novice national ice dancing figure skating competition. They also were champions at the same competition in 2005 and 2008. In 2006 and 2009, they won a silver medal at the junior ice dancing figure skating competition and the junior Grand Prix final ice dancing figure skating competition. They were also World Junior champions and many others. The duo placed 11th at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Later Bates suffered a terrible injury for any athlete. During a training session six months after 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, Samuelson’s skate came down on the back of Bates’s leg during a lift, severing his Achilles. He spent ten months recovering from the surgery. The surgery and recovery cost Bates his entire 2010-11 season following the Olympics. The following summer, he and Samuelson announced the end of their ten year partnership, a year after the two had switched coaches.
History In The Making
Madison Chock was looking for a partner after five year partner, Greg Zuerlein decided to retire. Chock held auditions over a two week period of which many attended, but did not find the right match. “I was just looking for somebody who I was going to be compatible with,” she said. Finding a partner that was close to home was a must to Chock. “It’s fortunate for me that the most compatible person happened to be skating at my rink,” she said, “and the timing was perfect.” Fortunate for Bates and Chock, Evan was also looking for a partner himself. “I didn’t try out with any other girls,” Bates said. “I knew I wanted to skate with Maddie.” Unlike their teammates that have been together for more than ten years, Bates and Chock have only been together for three. “Right from the start, I could see them becoming a good team,” said their coach, Igor Shpilband. “Both of them can dance. Both of them can move. When they are doing it together, a good chemistry comes out.” Evan says,” We are goofy people and we like to have fun at the rink a lot. But at the same time, we are very committed and serious. It’s equal balance fun and work. I think that is what has allowed us to succeed together. ” In such short years Evan and Madison have achieved many goals. Some of them are; In 2011, they received 3rd for the Finlandia Trophy, 4th in Skate Canada, 5th in the Trophee Eric Bompard. In 2012, they received 5th in the U.S. Championships and 4th in the International Classic. They also received 1st for the Nebelhorn Trophy and 4th in the Cup of China. In 2013, both took 2nd in the U.S. Championships, 3rd in the Four Continents Championships, 7th at the World Championships, 1st for the World Team Trophy, 2nd for the Finlandia Trophy, 3rd in the Cup of China and in the Rostelecom cup. In 2014, they received 2nd at the U.S. Championships and the duo took second for placing in the Sochi Winter Olympics. Bates and Chock are growing strong and love being partners. “Four years ago seems like a totally different life, you know,” Bates said. “Still skating obviously, same sport. But everything else has changed.” Bates looks at where he was in 2010 and where he is now. He does not regret what happened with him with both Samuelson and his injury. He believes that it has only made him stronger and made him who is is today. “As an athlete it’s easy to take things for granted, the opportunities we have. But once your health is taken away, you really feel it. Looking back now, I’m not glad that it happened, but it led to a series of events that led me to skate with Maddie and be here trying to take a shot at another Olympic team.”
Evan and Madison take Silver!
January 20, 2014
In an interview with Michelle Kwan, she asks Bates,”What does it feel like being nominated onto the Olympic team?” Bates replied saying that it feels like a dream come true. He says that 2 years ago when he meet Chock they both had an understanding that the Olympics was the main goal, and they have accomplished it. He tells Kwan that he and his partner are so excited to compete on the U.S. team. Kwan then asks what he is looking forward to in the games. “The swag! The apparel, the cloths, marching in the opening ceremony, being apart of team U.S.A, watching the events, meeting other athletes, eating in the cafeteria. I mean there`s a lot to be excited for.”
"Love At First Sight"
“I didn’t try out with any other girls,” Bates said, per Jeff Seidel of the Detroit Free Press. “I knew I wanted to skate with Maddie. I remember telling Maddie that my ultimate goal was to make the Sochi team and I wanted to do it with her.”