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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

All content by Cydney Nance
Senior forward Rajaee DeLane kicks the ball away from a defender during a Wildcats home game. Photo credit: Jordan Jarrell

Athletes combat cold streaks

Cydney Nance
December 8, 2016

Great athletes can affect the outcome of a game just by getting hot at the right time, but after several consecutive missed plays or mistakes, athletes can enter a cold streak.These can be moments during...

Referees reign over games

Cydney Nance
December 8, 2016

Since the 2012 NFL lockout, the officiating staff of sports has continued to expand the black spot on its once pristine record.It's not only football, and it's certainly not limited to the professional...

Junior guard Isaiah Ellis inbounds the ball during a Wildcat scrimmage game. Photo credit: Jordan Jarrell

Wildcats win first conference game

Cydney Nance
December 8, 2016

The Chico State men's basketball team earned its first conference win Dec. 3 against Cal State San Marcos by scoring 40 in each half.Four members on the Wildcats roster scored 10 or more points in the...

Senior Tyler Prange shoots a shot from the three-point line. Photo credit: Carlos Islas

Women’s basketball team loses conference opener

Cydney Nance
December 8, 2016

The Chico State women's basketball team's reappearance in the fourth quarter couldn't save the team from suffering a loss in its conference opener Dec. 1 against UC San Diego. The game between the Tritons...

Senior setter Torey Thompson sets the ball as senior middle hitter Ashton Kershner prepares to deliver a kill. Photo credit: Jovanna Garcia

Volleyball reaches final round of CCAA

Cydney Nance
November 23, 2016

A second sweep in the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament propelled the Chico State volleyball team to the CCAA finals.The Wildcats were able to take down Stanislaus State behind the...

Whitney Branham battles for the ball during a Wildcat home game. Orion stock image.

Big three leads to big win

Cydney Nance
November 17, 2016

The Chico State women's basketball team snagged a 64-54 win over Holy Names University Nov. 16 behind the scoring explosion of junior guard Whitney Branham.Branham scored 20 points and shot five three-pointers...

Junior outside hitter Olivia Mediano attempts to direct her team during a Wildcat home game. 
Orion stock image.

Star players shine on the court

Cydney Nance
November 15, 2016

No single athlete can represent an entire team, but the players that hit game-winning shots or snag the final kill seem to stand above the rest.The Chico State athletic department is no stranger to greatness...

Sophomore forward McKena Barker contests a shot during a Wildcat home game. Photo credit: Jordan Olesen

Women’s basketball team rallies against Notre Dame

Cydney Nance
November 14, 2016

The Chico State women's basketball team rallied behind the incredible play of sophomore forward Natalie Valenzuela Nov. 12 to pull off a 59-44 win against Notre Dame University.Valenzuela posted double-digit...

McKena Barker inbounds the ball during a Wildcat home game. Photo credit: Jordan Olesen

Women’s basketball team loses first preseason game

Cydney Nance
November 11, 2016

A double-double by junior forward Natalie Valenzuela wasn't enough to lift the Wildcats over Dominican Univerisity Nov. 11. Valenzuela had 14 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in 33...

Women’s basketball team outscored by the Broncos

Cydney Nance
November 7, 2016

The women's basketball team was unable to overcome the offense of the Santa Clara Broncos in their second exhibition game Nov. 5 but did prove the efficiency of its bench players.Of the 68 points that...

During a game opener, the women's rugby team battles for the ball. Photo credit: Makayla Hopkins

Women’s Rugby team surpasses Division II

Cydney Nance
November 6, 2016

While rugby is still a fairly unknown sport it is the only Division I sport that is affiliated with Chico State.Rugby has not been an Olympic sport since 1924, but because of its recent induction into...

Photo credit: Royal T Lee-Castine

Men’s soccer team falls at home

Cydney Nance
November 4, 2016

The Chico State men's soccer team had momentum on its side in the first round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament Nov. 1 but fell 0-1 to Cal State San Bernardino.The team's competed...

Senior forward Omar Nuno battles for the ball against a Sonoma State player. Photo credit: Jordan Jarrell

’Cats seize top-three ranking

Cydney Nance
November 2, 2016

While a 0-3-1 start to its conference may have plagued the Chico State men's soccer team, its meteoric rise to second has proven its resilience.The team had plenty of scoring power with senior forwards...

Senior Sherise Porchia waits for an inbound play during a game against Cal State Stanislaus Photo credit: Carlos Islas

Women’s basketball team willed to victory

Cydney Nance
November 1, 2016

When the Chico State women's basketball team stepped on the court Oct. 30, its only goal was to come away with the win. Although the team struggled to stay ahead in the game, junior guard Whitney Branham...

The women's soccer team takes to the field in their final game of the season. Photo credit: Aubrie Coley

Women’s soccer team ends season successfully

Cydney Nance
October 24, 2016

The Chico State women's soccer team had its best performance of the season Oct. 23 against Humboldt State but had its success come too late.The team did not qualify for a postseason, as they placed eighth...

Women’s Golf team snags third

Cydney Nance
October 21, 2016

The Chico State women's golf team snagged a third place finish at the Sonoma Fall Invitational Oct. 21 with a 615 collective stroke total.Senior Bianca Armanini had her first top 10 finish of the season...

Women’s golf team places second at Sonoma State

Cydney Nance
October 18, 2016

The Chico State women’s golf team had its strongest showing of the season in the Sonoma State Fall Invitational, with a second place finish in the first round. The team has yet to find its stride...

The women's soccer team charges off the field following a win. Photo credit: Jordan Jarrell

Women’s soccer team strives for win

Cydney Nance
October 17, 2016

Only two figures stand out to the Chico State women's soccer team: six and 10. The team suffered six consecutive losses after starting its conference, despite having an undefeated preseason. The lack...

Junior defender Brooke Coelho attempts to pass the ball to a teammate. Photo credit: Aubrie Coley

Women’s soccer team improves ranking

Cydney Nance
October 17, 2016

The Chico State women's soccer team snagged its first road win Oct. 14 against Cal State East Bay to remain in playoff contention. The team extended its record to 3-7 and rose to ninth place with nine...

Omar Nuno drives the ball to the goalkeeper's box during a Chico State home game. Photo credit: Jordan Jarrell

Nuno leads men’s soccer team to first road win

Cydney Nance
October 14, 2016

Chico State men's soccer team's offense consisted only of senior forward Omar Nuno, as he scored both goals in the game against Stanislaus State Oct. 14. Nuno shot three times with two shots on goal...

First-year goalkeeper Caylin Stanley is brought to the ground after attempting to clear the goal. Photo credit: Makayla Hopkins

NCAA foggy on concussion policies

Cydney Nance
October 13, 2016

Editor’s note: Full Disclosure is a weekly analysis of athletics concerning programs at Chico State. Concussions aren't limited to football, and they don't usually stop at one. Athletes are 41...

The Chico State men's cross country team practices on their home track before an invitational. Photo credit: Jordan Jarrell

Cross Country succeeds in San Diego

Cydney Nance
October 9, 2016

The Chico State cross country team had a dominant performance Oct. 8 at the Triton Invitational with both men's and women's finishing in the top three.Men's cross countryThe men's team had five of the...

Junior midfielder Frankie Palmer attempts to beat a defender at midfield while calling for the ball. Photo credit: Jordan Jarrell

Men’s soccer suffers at home

Cydney Nance
October 9, 2016

An increased effort on offense couldn't help the Chico State men's soccer team as they fell 0-1 to the Cal State L.A. Golden Eagles Oct. 7 on the 'Cats home field.Neither team was able to score in the...

Members of the Chico State community gather in front of Kendall Hall during a silent protest. Photo credit: Royal T Lee-Castine

Athletes support Black Lives Matter

Cydney Nance
October 7, 2016

  Jalen McFerren said he would like to continue being an example of unity on campus and bring awareness to injustices and attention to the Black Lives Matter movement. McFerren is a junior...

Bianca Armanini poses with former teammate Dani O'Keefe at a tournament last season. Photo credit: Alicia Brogden

Women’s golf places second in Utah

Cydney Nance
October 4, 2016

The Chico State women's golf team traveled to Hurricane, Utah on Oct. 3 to compete in the Dixie State Fall Invitational, and tied for second after the first day of the tournament.Every member of the team...

First-year forward Abbie Jones battles for the ball as first-year goalkeeper Caylin Stanley rushes to assist. Photo credit: Makayla Hopkins

Women’s soccer team can’t break the streak

Cydney Nance
October 2, 2016

The women's soccer team faced the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos on Oct. 2, on the 'Cats home field and lost 1-2.The loss brings the 'Cats overall record to 4-6-1, and their conference record to 0-6. Chico State...

Sophomore Carlie Reader fights for the ball during the 'Cats home game against Cal State San Bernardino. Photo credit: Makayla Hopkins

Coyotes continue ‘Cats losing streak

Cydney Nance
October 1, 2016

The Chico State women's soccer team took on Cal State San Bernardino on the 'Cats home field on Sept. 30 and lost 1-3.The loss gives the 'Cats a season record of 4-5-1 and is the fifth consecutive loss...

Students relax with their yoga classes at the WREC during the day. Photo credit: Royal T Lee-Castine

WREC wrecks student schedules

Cydney Nance
September 29, 2016

Since the WREC opened its doors in 2009, students have had a facility to practice a healthy lifestyle, that's included in their tuition. Although students are paying for their own gym in their already...

Whitney Branham receives help getting up after knocking down a shot. Photo credit: Jacob Auby

WNBA remains out of reach

Cydney Nance
September 20, 2016

With preseason starting in a matter of weeks, the Chico State women’s basketball team is preparing to have a better season this semester, after ending last year with a six-game losing streak. While...