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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 Emerson Keenan
Former Chico State pitcher Nick Baker has been nominated for the Orion Sports Wildcat of the Year. Orion file photo

Wildcat of the Year nominee: Nick Baker

Emerson Keenan
November 18, 2014
Former pitching ace Nick Baker stands in third place in Chico State history with 30 wins as a Wildcat.
Chico State basketball players face off against each other in practice last week. Photo credit: John Domogma

Men’s basketball team dominates season opener

Emerson Keenan
November 14, 2014
The Chico State men's basketball team beat the Pacific Union Pioneers 104-62 in the first game of 100th season of the team.
Matt Hurlow, a Wildcat starting forward, running midfield Oct. 17. Photo credit: John Domogma

Athletes adapt to overtime pressure

Emerson Keenan
November 2, 2014
Players of soccer and basketball recall playing games that go into overtime, when endurance and defense are a big priority to win the game.
From left to right: Kristyn Casalino, Shannon Boling and Olivia Mediano set up before a serve for Chico State. Photo credit: John Domogma

Women’s volleyball team wins in four sets

Emerson Keenan
October 31, 2014
The Chico State women's volleyball team won in four sets against a Humboldt State team that sat in third place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association entering Friday's game.
Wildcat Matthew Tarr wins the ball over Jose Gonzalez of Cal State San Bernardino at the Chico State soccer field October 30, 2014. Photo credit: John Domogma

Men’s soccer team ends season with 2-2 tie

Emerson Keenan
October 31, 2014
The Wildcats men's soccer team came back to force overtime with a goal in the last three minutes of regulation, but can't find goal in overtime and settles for a tie.
Aaron Mora, a junior business administration major, embraces Coach Gary Towne's input about anything and everything running. Photo credit: Emerson Keenan

Cross-country runners embrace race strategies

Emerson Keenan
October 27, 2014
Athletes on the men and women's teams work together with head Coach Gary Towne on approaching races and strategizing before and during the race.
Molly Downtain (back row, third from right) working the Under-20 Women's Youth United States National team in the Under-20 World Cup which took place during August 2014. Photo courtesy of Molly Downtain.

Ex-women’s soccer star works behind scenes for US Soccer

Emerson Keenan
October 21, 2014
Former Wildcat Molly Downtain is working for the United States Soccer Federation and just came back from working with the U-20 team this past August.
Wildcat Defender Kenny Rosecrance attempts to center the ball in the box at Chico State Friday October 17, 2014 against CSU East Bay Pioneers. Photo credit: John Domogma

Men’s soccer team ties Cal State East Bay

Emerson Keenan
October 18, 2014
Despite having numerous chances in the offensive zone, the Chico State men's soccer team settled for a tie after two halves of overtime.
Thirteen of the 15 incoming recruits for the Chico State men's track and field team. In the middle of them is the new athlete's mantra: respect, optimism and discipline. Photo Courtesy Oliver Hanf

Wildcats track and field bringing big crop of recruits

Emerson Keenan
October 13, 2014
The Chico State men's and women's track and field teams brought in a big class of transfers and freshmen to replace the big class of seniors leaving.
Octavio Murillo grapples with the opposition as both players go for the ball. Photo credit: Emily Teague

Men’s soccer team wins in OT against Humboldt

Emerson Keenan
October 10, 2014
The Chico State Wildcats let a one goal lead slip away against the Humboldt State Lumberjacks, only to win in overtime 2-1 on controversial penalty kick in opening minutes of overtime.
Amateur athletes teach mixed martial arts

Amateur athletes teach mixed martial arts

Emerson Keenan
October 6, 2014
Two MMA athletes at Chico State are teaching others about the sport as well as training together to chase their professional dreams.

Men’s soccer team loses 2-1 to Cal Poly Pomona

Emerson Keenan
October 3, 2014
The Chico State men's soccer team fell at home Friday by the final of 2-1 to Cal Poly Pomona.
Mid-fielder Nick Radosavjevic attempts to set up the ball for Wildcat strikers in a high jump header on Friday, September 12, 2014 at the Wildcat soccer field. Photo credit: John Domogma

Men’s soccer team loses in overtime

Emerson Keenan
September 28, 2014
The Chico State men's soccer team lost to Cal State L.A. to finish its road trip.
Chico State goalie Brianna Furner in a game earlier this year. Photo credit: John Domogma

Women’s soccer goalie reaches milestones in shutouts

Emerson Keenan
September 27, 2014
Fourth-year goalie Brianna Furner is climbing the ranks of the Chico State women's soccer record books, while also leading a young Wildcats team into the heart of the regular season.
Chico State freshman soccer player Luke Dennison has helped Chico State to a 5-0-1 start on the year. Photo courtesy Chico Wildcats.

First-year goalie key to men’s soccer team’s early success

Emerson Keenan
September 22, 2014
Luke Dennison, a first-year player on the Chico State men's soccer team, has had four shutouts in his first five games as a Wildcat.
Freshman Carter Johnson weaves through opponents in a game earlier this year. Chico State scored twice in the second half to beat Holy Names 2-1 on Saturday. Photo credit: John Domogma

Mens soccer team beats Holy Names 2-1

Emerson Keenan
September 20, 2014
The Chico State mens soccer team came back to win by scoring two second half goals against Holy Names University and to undefeated on season.
Chico State men's soccer player Mike Janjigian (20) elevates for a ball during Sunday's match against Saint Martin's University. Photo credit: John Domogma

Men’s soccer player returns from injury to lead team

Emerson Keenan
September 16, 2014
Senior men's soccer captain Mike Janjigian is leading a young Wildcats team into the season after a year-long injury sidelined him in 2013.
Chico State men' soccer player Mike Janjigian had a big role defensively in the Wildcat's shutout  on Sunday. Photo credit: John Domogma

Men’s soccer team wins 1-0 over Saint Martin’s

Emerson Keenan
September 14, 2014
Akwafei Ajeakwa scored the lone goal in the 55th minute to lift the Chico State men's soccer team over Saint Martin's.
Chico State athletic director Anita Barker led the department to sixth place in the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings. Photo courtesy Chico Wildcats

Chico State athletics place 6th in Directors’ Cup

Emerson Keenan
September 9, 2014
10 Chico State teams made it to NCAA berths in 2013-2014, earning the 'Cats a top-10 place out of 246 Division II schools in the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup.
Chico State junior soccer player Justin Walmsley scored the Wildcats' only goal in a 1-1 tie to Seattle Pacific on Saturday. Photo courtesy Chico Wildcats.

Men’s soccer ties Seattle Pacific in OT

Emerson Keenan
September 7, 2014
The Chico State men's soccer team tied Seattle Pacific 1-1 in overtime on Saturday.

Wondo takes Wildcats to World Cup

Emerson Keenan
August 27, 2014
Former Wildcat soccer player Chris Wondolowski brought his Golden Boot game to professional heights this summer.
Chico State long jumper leaps through the air earlier this season Photo credit: Emily Teague

Wildcats await NCAA Championships

Emerson Keenan
May 11, 2014
After multiple California Collegiate Athletic Association titles, a handful of track and field athletes are likely headed to Michigan for NCAA championships.
Chico State senior Ryan McClellan went 4 for 5 in the Wildcats' loss to UC San Diego Saturday night. He was named to the all-tournament team. Photo courtesy Chico Wildcats

Chico State eliminated from CCAA tournament

Emerson Keenan
May 10, 2014
The Wildcats come back with seven runs in the seventh inning to erase a six-run deficit, but lose game against UC San Diego 10-7.
Sophomore Brad Lohse delivers in a game earlier this season. Photo credit: Salahadin Albutti

Wildcats stay alive in CCAA tourney

Emerson Keenan
May 9, 2014
Chico State comes back to win 10-4 and cements a place in the semifinal against loser of game between UC San Diego and Cal Poly Pomona.
Pitcher Alex Molina winds up against Sonoma State earlier this season. Photo credit: Grant Mahan

Wildcats softball ends season with split

Emerson Keenan
April 28, 2014
Wildcat slugger Desiree' Gonzalez tied the single season school record for home runs with her 11th, while the team split the doubleheader with Cal State East Bay 6-2 and 11-6.
John Brunk, Theodore Elsenbaumer and J Patrick Smith compete alongside Olympic medalist Ashton Eaton. Photo courtesy of Kevin Brunk.

Wildcat decathletes dash against world-class competition

Emerson Keenan
April 21, 2014
Three Chico State athletes got a rare opportunity to compete against a variety of Olympic runners at the Sam Adams Combined Events decathlon.
Pitcher Cheyenne Sandoval pitches Saturday against the Cal State Sonoma Seawolves. Photo credit: Grant Mahan

Wildcats come up short against Sonoma State

Emerson Keenan
April 20, 2014
The Chico State softball team wasn't able to claw any wins after honoring the seniors, losing both games of the doubleheader against Sonoma State.
From left to right, Alex Molina, Scotie Walker and Kayla Barber with their families behind them on Senior Day. Photo credit: Emerson Keenan

Softball team pays tribute on Senior Day

Emerson Keenan
April 20, 2014
Three seniors, Alex Molina, Scotie Walker and Kayla Barber, were honored before the softball game against Sonoma State.
Firefighters approach the aftermath of a four-car pileup on the intersection of Ninth and Ivy streets. Photo credit: Emerson Keenan

Four-car pileup on Ninth and Ivy streets

Emerson Keenan
April 19, 2014
A Dodge pickup truck collided head-on with two others cars, causing the truck to spin out and hit another car.
Junior steeplechase athlete Alex McGuirk. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Endurance event tests Wildcat athletes

Emerson Keenan
April 15, 2014
Steeplechase is an often-forgotten track and field event, in which Alex McGuirk broke the school record.
Sophomore first baseman Desiree' Gonzalez. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Wildcats break Otters 19-game win streak

Emerson Keenan
April 13, 2014
The softball team split the two game series against Cal State Monterey Bay behind a fiery performance from Desiree' Gonzalez.
Softball pitcher Brooke Angeloh. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Wildcats softball wins twice at Tournament of Champions

Emerson Keenan
April 5, 2014
The Wildcats softball team took two out of three against a variety of teams on day one of the Tournament of Champions.
Junior infielder Kelli Keefe bunts the ball during Sunday's game against Cal State San Bernardino. Photo credit: Salahadin Albutti

Wildcats split series with Cal State San Bernardino

Emerson Keenan
March 31, 2014
Softball team stays in thick of the playoff race while winning two out of the four games in weekend series.
Tom Moss, 48, was a record-breaking Wildcat baseball player that now supports his daughter at University Stadium track meets. Photo credit: Emerson Keenan

Faces in the Crowd: Alumnus supports daughter at stadium

Emerson Keenan
March 31, 2014
A record-breaking former Chico State baseball player makes his way back to University Stadium to watch his daughter compete.
Alex Molina, senior pitcher, gets ready to bat during practice. Photo credit: Maisee Lee

Pitcher grand slams as hitter

Emerson Keenan
March 25, 2014
Senior pitcher Alex Molina can hit and pitch, which makes her a rare commodity in softball.
Sophomore pitcher Brooke Langeloh. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Sweet sweep for ’Cats softball team

Emerson Keenan
March 15, 2014
The Chico State softball team moves above .500 for the first time this season with a sweep of Pace University and continues a five-game win streak.
Junior infielder Emily McEnaney. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Dramatic comeback helps the Wildcats win game, series

Emerson Keenan
March 9, 2014
The Wildcats swept Saturday's doubleheader against the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros after a dramatic rally in game two.
Senior pitcher Alex Molina pitched a complete game and hit a grand slam in Sunday's game. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Wildcats offense comes alive, splits series with Humboldt State

Emerson Keenan
March 3, 2014
Alex Molina hits a grand slam while pitching a complete game, winning in first game of the doubleheader, 8-7. The Wildcats couldn't fight a comeback from the Humboldt State Jacks in the second of the two games, losing 11-8.
Number 19, Eric Angerer, senior first baseman, leaves home after a hit.Photo credit: Emily Teague

Baseball player breaks hit by pitch record

Emerson Keenan
February 25, 2014
First baseman Eric Angerer broke Chico State's record for most times hit by pitch over a career.
First baseman Desiree Gonzales tries to make a play at first Friday against Cal State Stanislaus.Photo credit: Annie Paige

Wildcats softball team wins series, splits doubleheader on Saturday

Emerson Keenan
February 22, 2014
The Wildcats wrapped up its four-game series Saturday with a 2-0 complete game victory for Alex Molina, and a 11-3 loss to Cal State Stanislaus.
Senior pitcher Alex Molina. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Tritons take down ’Cats in doubleheader

Emerson Keenan
February 15, 2014
Wildcats lose two games in doubleheader to the UC San Diego Tritons and finish 1-3 on the trip to San Diego.
Wildcats win last two games of tournament

Wildcats win last two games of tournament

Emerson Keenan
February 3, 2014
The Wildcats softball team pulls out two wins in the second day of the Best of the West softball tournament.
Kasey Barnett, 21, a recreation administration major, practices pole vaulting, the event she was the CCAA champion for in May 2013.Photo credit: Maisee Lee

Field star vaults her way to award

Emerson Keenan
February 3, 2014
Kasey Barnett, 21, 2013 winner of the CCAA Women's Field Athlete of the Year, jumps to to go out with a bang her senior season.