Many students pack their belongings and head out of town to attend college. That’s not the case for two ISU softball players who chose to stay close to home during their four years of college.

Senior Molly McNertney and sophomore Kim Rodgers are both graduates of Ames High School that chose to continue putting their softball skills to use for the Cyclones. However, softball was not the only factor that helped these two athletes make their decision. The campus, families ties to Iowa State and the education offered were also big pluses.

McNertney entered college focused on her main objective of getting a good education. After entertaining the option of going out of state, she decided to attend Iowa State because of the reputation of its engineering school and in-state tuition.

Her next decision came at the end of her senior year in high school. The opportunity to walk on to the softball team was available, and she realized her love for the game. When contemplating whether or not to pursue softball at the college level, McNertney admits she was uneasy about her future as a softball player.

“When my senior year came to an end, I realized how much I would miss it,” she said.

Although her dad and brother played for the now defunct ISU baseball team, McNertney said family traditions did not play a big factor into her decision to walk on to the softball team or to continue playing while in college.

One of the key factors in McNertney’s decision to join the team was the prestige of the conference that the Cyclones are in.

“I liked the idea of playing in the Big 12 Conference and on a Division I softball team,” McNertney said.

Rodgers came to Ames from California in her sophomore year in high school. Following her brother’s footsteps, she decided that Iowa State was the right choice for a couple of reasons.

“I really liked the campus here and the softball program was also definitely a plus,” Rodgers said.

Even though both athletes came as walk-ons, ISU head coach Ruth Crowe said she saw the potential they possessed. A key contributing factor in McNertney’s growth is her work ethic, Crowe said. The senior has started 14 games in ISU infield this season.

“Once she decided to put in the extra effort and became confident in her skills, she really began to develop into the player she is now,” Crowe said.

McNertney, who is a team captain, was planning on being part of the regular lineup for this spring season. However, when she tore her ACL while in practice this past December, it put her out for a little less than three months.

“She is still offensively strong, but it hurt her defensively because of her mobility,” Crowe said.

McNertney had also torn her ACL while in high school. She was out for almost six months then.

Crowe said Rodgers, who is just a sophomore, has a chance to really develop as McNertney did.

“We feel very fortunate to even have both these girls and their talent in our program,” Crowe said.

As with most college students, there are positive and negative aspects of the distance of the college.

“I like having home-cooked meals and a place to do my laundry,” Mc-Nertney said.

“It is really, really nice.”

In addition to the home-cooked meals, Rodgers also likes the security of having her family close.