By Last spring, the CUBE basement was decorated wall to wall for Rave to Save, a fundraiser for Circle-K International, one of the world’s largest student-led collegiate service organizations. The event supported AIDSpirit, an organization that funds an orphanage in Uganda.
The song, “Pump It”, by Black Eyed Peas, was blaring, and there was a moshpit of six dudes jumping up and down screaming their hearts out to the music.
Somewhere in the blur of bodies was Carson Ochoa, smiling and dancing with his buddies.
“Long streamers, glow sticks, and really good music,” said Ochoa. “The event was also laid out well. We danced for about an hour or so. That was one of the funnest nights in my life. I’ll never forget it.”
Carson Ochoa, senior, health sciences major, from Orange County California is a redshirt sophomore tight end for the Carroll College Fighting Saints. When he is not busy with football and academics, he likes playing the guitar, reading finance books, playing pickleball, and serving the community of Helena.
Ochoa was born in Newport Beach. He had lived in the town of Yorba Linda in Orange County before coming to Carroll to play football.
“I was blessed with a good opportunity to get a scholarship here. I fell in love with the campus when I visited,” said Ochoa. “I wanted a new pace of living and to get out of the Orange County bubble. I also wanted to go to a school that had a campus that gave me an opportunity to become more connected with the Lord.”
He arrived at Carroll in the fall of 2020 when COVID-19 was at its peak.
“Some classes were on Zoom. We had to wear masks in most places and we were spit tested every week,” said Ochoa. “Football was even crazier. There were times when we would lift outside due to social distancing mandates.”
During this time, players were put into groups of four. When a teammate would show up positive with the virus, the whole lifting group would be asked to quarantine.
“There weren’t a lot of activities going on,” said Ochoa. “It didn’t feel like college at first,”
Ochoa has a passion to serve others.
Jack England, a junior Health Science major from Boise, is caretaker for a man who is nonverbal and confined to a wheelchair. England asked Ochoa if he’d like to help.
“I was a caretaker for Chris Halverson and there aren’t a lot of things he can do on his own,” said England. “Carson joined me without hesitation. He was thrilled to do it and that shows a lot about his character. This job is not for everyone.”
Ochoa helped for three weeks that summer. Carson and Chris did all sorts of things together that summer: bowling, basketball, movies, video games – and rocking out at local concerts in Helena.
Ochoa’s coaches and teammates know how talented he is, but it’s his heart they praise first.
“Carson is a very caring individual,” said Alex Pfannenstiel assistant coach and offensive coordinator. “To know Carson is to know someone who has always been very kind, concerning, and emotional. He is a very caring individual.”
On the field, Carson is focused, dedicated.
“Carson as a player is dedicated to becoming the best player he could be,” said Pfannenstiel. “He is a great fan of his teammates and always willing to help them. Carson just wants to see our team succeed.”
Ochoa shined last season against Rocky Mountain College. The Saints were down big heading into the fourth quarter. Ochoa ended that game with seven catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns to secure the lead for the Saints.
Ochoa was in the spotlight, the man of the hour. But when asked how he was feeling after the game, he responded quietly.
“I am just glad we won the game.”
That response didn’t surprise his teammates and coaches.
“To be in that moment and be humble, that’s Carson Ochoa in a nutshell for you,” said Pfannenstiel.
The week after the Rocky game, the Saints traveled to Glendale, Arizona.
“Arizona Christian doubled him,” said Pfannenstiel. “He ended up being a huge impact blocking for us that game. He didn’t have a single catch because they had planned for him all week. We joked with him about not having any catches that game. He responded to all of us by saying, ‘That’s okay coach, we won.’ As long as the Saints are having success he doesn’t care if he’s in the headlines.”
Ochoa is a little unsure what he wants to do after he finishes school at Carroll. He has thought about going back to Orange County and working in an emergency room for a couple of years. Once he gets some time under his belt, he wants to work for the Orange County fire department.
While working, he also wants to chase another dream: creating, marketing and selling his own nutritional supplement.
“I want to do something that will positively change the world, combat any huge health problem,” he said. “I just want to serve communities.”
Like all seniors, he’s reflecting back on his years here.
“I learned a lot of time management skills, I’m still working on them, but it is something I have gotten a lot better at,” said Ochoa. “I have also learned how to embrace ‘the suck.’ The chance to suffer is also an opportunity for myself to become better at whatever I’m struggling with like school, work, football, or my social life.”
Ochoa admits when he first came to Carroll, he didn’t study enough.
“It was a shock for me at first, I didn’t apply myself.” he said. “I didn’t think I would need to deal with the work that was asked of me. I’ve gotten a lot better and it isn’t a problem anymore.”
Ochoa enjoyed building his faith on men’s retreats. He has been to three and plans to go on more in the future.
“They were a lot of fun and there wasn’t one that I didn’t enjoy,” said Ochoa. “It was a great time to disconnect from everything and just be in tune with yourself.”
During his years here, Ochoa has served both Helena and the college. He’s hosted raves, served as a caretaker, and caught passes to win games.
Whether its teammates, friends or just somebody who needs him, he was always willing to serve.
“I learned that everyone has something to say and everyone has some sort of value no matter who it is,” said Ochoa. “Sometimes you have to reach out and give people a shot.”
