By Jackson Smith
Web Editor

With the spring term coming to a close, Clackamas Community College athletes face a difficult choice. 

Second year athletes, like many other students, have the option to transfer to university. This could be to further their education for future careers, further their athletics in hopes of playing in the pros or both.

Women’s Cougars basketball guard Mollie Miller is one second-year player looking to the future.

Miller standing at center court. Photo provided by Mollie Miller

Miller spent her first two years at CCC, with an average of 18 points per game over that time. 

Entering her second season, Miller was the only returning player from the previous year. The only other sophomores on the squad were twins Alana and Mae Washington transferring in from Arizona Christian University.

Having spent the season with each other, Miller and the twins built a close relationship, fostering  a strong chemistry on the court.

When asked about sticking with the Washingtons, Miller said, “It would be amazing to continue playing with the twins and be able to see the players they will become. If we do end up in the same place that would be awesome, but I know that we are all really looking for the best fit whether that’s the same school or not.”

For Miller, the community built among teammates and coaches played a big part in her time at CCC.

“My coaches and teammates were some of the best anyone could ever have, they truly cared about me as a person and as a player,” said Miller.

While she intends on moving on to university to further her collegiate career in basketball, Miller is undecided as of right now on where that will be.

Miller is not the only second-year athlete looking to move on; baseball season is springing into action, showcasing many second-year athletes looking towards a four-year university.

One of those athletes is Cougars pitcher Anderson Tordiffe. In his first season at CCC, Tordiffe recorded 50 strikeouts, with 7.8 strikeouts per game.

Tordiffe pitching on the mound. Photo provided by Anderson Tordiffe

After college, Tordiffe looks to continue his baseball career, hoping to go pro one day.

“Ideally I want to play professional, but baseball is already my job in my mind so whether I get paid or not doesn’t change how I approach training and developing,” said Tordiffe.

Originally, Tordiffe had planned to attend Washington State University to further his athletics, but for now he remains undecided.

For young athletes, college can appear to be frightening before really stepping into the spotlight. 

When asked what he would tell incoming athletes, Tordiffe said, “College baseball, especially a JUCO like CCC, is going to reward hard work and showing up. It is what you make it.”

While a lot of athletes focus on the sport when moving on, others choose to dial in on their education. This rings true for second year volleyball player Cooper Nave.

Nave getting ready to serve the ball. Photo provided by Cooper Nave

Nave spent her first two seasons with CCC, recording 333 receptions and only 15 reception errors this past season.

Having almost finished up her time at the college , Nave will transfer to The College of Idaho to focus on her education while continuing to play volleyball for them.

There she will be studying in a program called Organizational Leadership, where she plans to take her PMP license to become a project manager. 

While she plans to continue volleyball through college, Nave does not intend on continuing her athletic career once she has graduated.

With volleyball being such a prominent part of her life, Nave looks to stay active in the community by coaching, though her education has always been a top priority.

“I would say that my career has always been my biggest focus, because at the end of the day, I know that volleyball isn’t always going to be in my life,” said Nave.

While Nave looks to stray away from the athletic world, other athletes only get more focused.

Conner Oertel, a second-year guard for the men’s Cougars basketball team, plans to transfer to Montana State University-Billings. Oertel averaged 22 points per game at CCC this past season.

Oertel shooting a free throw. Photo provided by Connor Oertel

At MSUB, Oertel plans to get his degree in finance so he can start his career once he is finished with athletics.

Next year Oertel looks to further his athletics as well as his education, holding big goals for himself as a student and a player.

“I hope to build on my education I’ve obtained here at Clackamas. I want to be a high impact player at the next level and my goal is to earn all-conference honors next year,” said Oertel.

After his college career, Oertel looks to play overseas.

“As of now, I hope to play overseas professional basketball following my college career. I hope to travel the world doing what I love,” said Oertel.

Many college athletes skip over community college as it may not seem like the right choice when aiming for the pros. Oertel felt this coming into college.

“Coming out of high school, I really didn’t want to play at a community college,” Oertel said. “With the way college sports are now, it really is the way to go. Players should not overlook the development and skill level at JUCOs, just stick it out, work hard, and good things will happen,” 

Each spring, athletes look to make their move to the next chapter. 

With some looking to continue on the path of their sport, or make their way into a working career, they’re taking their first steps from CCC to their future.