Third-year sophomores, referred to as super sophomores, are looking to make the most out of an extra year at Delta College after the COVID-19 pandemic limited their transfer options.
While transferring to a four-year college after two years is what many would expect, several athletes are still glad to stay a little longer.
“Delta always feels like home, they’ve helped me a lot and I really like this school,” women’s soccer player Jasmin Mejia said.
The reasons for athletes staying around longer vary both athletically and academically.
Volleyball players Jessica Smith and Kaitlyn Morenzone find an additional year with the Mustangs helpful both on and off the court.
Delta’s coaches support their athletes academically in addition to training them for competition, and Smith thinks the guidance they’re providing her will be very important once she does transfer.
“I decided to stay because I believe Delta is a great program and I belong here,” said Smith. “In order to move on to a four-year [college] I have the help that is needed to move on. My parents recently moved to Arkansas, but I honestly decided to stay here in California just to strictly play at a JC level just so I can move on, and I have the right coaches to lead me to a great spot.”
Morenzone opted to stay to improve athletically and for economic reasons, stating that courses at Delta are much cheaper compared to online courses at four-year colleges.
“I didn’t want to pay a lot of money to take online classes that I could just take here, it’s way cheaper, and I had knee surgery. So having another year to get more practice in before transferring, it was an easy choice for me,” said Morenzone.
Delta’s athletes also see academic convenience with staying another year.
“I’m fine with staying a little longer, I needed another year to finish my degree,” men’s soccer player Luis Sandoval said.
Smith is taking advantage of this extra year to earn a degree before transferring.
“I just wanted to stay two years, but then I decided to do a minor major in psychology and allowed me to stay here an extra year,” said Smith.
Others want to have more options to transfer to a four-year college most suitable for them.
Men’s soccer player Ignacio Flores decided to stay despite having an offer to transfer.
“I had an offer, but I stayed to get better offers with my performance here and go somewhere that would best fit me,” said Flores.