Skip to Main Content
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 Justin Couchot
Wildcats softball earn spot in NCAA West Regional Final with 2-0 start

Wildcats softball earn spot in NCAA West Regional Final with 2-0 start

After winnings the first two games at home of the NCAA West Regional, the Chico State softball team has now won 27 in a row and has earned a spot in the NCAA West Regional final on Saturday morning. The...

After being forced to red shirt her freshman year due to a broken ankle, Chico State striker Erin Woods is returning for her fifth year with the Chico State women's team in the fall. Photo credit: Carly Maxstone

Wildcat of the Week – Erin Woods

Justin Couchot and Caitlyn Young
May 9, 2018

With softball and track and field busy at the California Collegiate Athletic Association Championships, and baseball busy preparing for them, we caught up with Chico State women's soccer striker Erin Woods...

Pitcher Amanda Flores had seven hits, six RBIs and her first home run as a Wildcat in the four game series against Humboldt. Photo Courtesy: Janna Weiss Photography

Wildcats softball team set a new single season wins record with sweep of Jacks

Katalina Santamaria and Justin Couchot
April 22, 2018

The Chico State softball team improved to 43-3 in its four game sweep of Humboldt State. In doing so, Chico State also set a new single-season wins record, breaking the mark of 40 set in both 1980 and...

The Wildcats celebrate after clinching the No. 1 spot in their conference. Photo credit: Martin Chang

Two more records broken as Wildcats finish perfect 20-0 at home

Justin Couchot
April 16, 2018

Another homestand, another sweep for the Chico State softball team as they finished a perfect 20-0 at home this season. With the four-game sweep came two more records broken for the Wildcats.In the bottom...

Chico State pitcher Haley Gilham has been named CCAA conference pitcher of the week five times this season, 11 times in her career and will be heading to Neatherlands following graduation. Photo credit: Kate Angeles

Wildcat’s softball all-time leader in wins signs on to play overseas

Justin Couchot
April 11, 2018

After four years dominating in the circle for the Chico State softball team, the Wildcats all-time leader in wins, Haley Gilham, has committed to continuing her pitching career in the Netherlands following...

The Wildcats celebrate following Bailey Akins home run that broke the record for most as a team in a single season. Photo credit: Martin Chang

Wildcats set new home run record in series sweep of Monterey Bay

Justin Couchot
March 11, 2018

Entering the final two games of the series Saturday against Cal State Monterey Bay, the Chico State softball team needed just one home run to tie the record for most home runs as a team in a single season.The...

Haley Gilham tosses a pitch in her first no hitter as a Wildcat. Photo Credit: Janna Weiss Photography

Haley Gilham tosses no-hitter for Wildcats as Chico State gets win number 20

Justin Couchot
March 9, 2018

As if six complete-game shutouts and two one hitters on the year weren't enough, Chico State softball pitcher Haley Gilham topped that Friday, tossing her first career no-hitter as a Wildcat in the 4-0...

Sophomore Justin Briggs avoids defense and finds an open shot in a Chico's playoff matchup against Cal State San Bernardino. Photo credit: Kate Angeles

Chico State men and women fall to Tritons in CCAA semifinals

Courtney Chapman and Justin Couchot
March 3, 2018

In a must win matchup for Chico State basketball where all 100 percent was needed from all its players, it was the UC San Diego Tritons who stood strong, defeating the Wildcat men 66-49, and 67-48 for...

Starting pitcher Haley Gilham following one of her nine wins on the year so far for the Wildcats Photo credit: Anne Chamberlain

Chico softball stays perfect following four game sweep of Cal State East Bay

Justin Couchot
February 24, 2018

The Chico State softball team increased its undefeated record to 17-0 (12-0 CCAA) Saturday with back-to-back double header wins against Cal State East Bay. They won 1-0 and 10-1 Friday, while finishing...

Reno Bighorns Guard Michael Bethea during the NBA G-League Basketball game between the Reno Bighorns and the Memphis Hustle.

Photo courtesy of Michael Bethea

Michael Bethea: a journey

Andrew Baumgartner and Justin Couchot
January 24, 2018

Current Reno Bighorns guard Michael Bethea Jr. has had quite a journey to get to where he is now including a memorable stop at Chico State.Bethea grew up in Staten Island, NY where he graduated from Curtis...

Wildcats Isaiah Ellis Drives past Cal Poly Pomona defenders Photo credit: Julia Maldonado

Amongst waves, Wildcats finish break strong

Justin Couchot
January 21, 2018

The Wildcat men went 6-3 over the five-week stretch of winter break at Chico State that went from Dec. 16-Jan. 21, bringing them to 21-5 overall and 9-4 in conference. After three straight wins, the...

vertical Photo credit: Justin Couchot

In Chico over break? Support your Wildcats basketball

Justin Couchot
December 13, 2017

As many know, Chico is a quiet, much slower paced and what some could say boring place for students between the time of Winter finals finishing and the start of Spring semester. All regular season games...

Photo credit: Sean Martens

Wildcat of the Week- Justin Briggs

Justin Couchot
December 6, 2017

Justin Briggs is a sophomore forward and center for Chico State's mens basketball team. After redshirting his freshman year, Briggs is in his third year with the team and has been strong for the Wildcats...

Chico State’s Mitch Cox leaves for job as commissioner of CCAA

Justin Couchot
November 30, 2017

Chico State's Associate Director of Athletics Mitch Cox has been appointed Interim Commissioner of the California Collegiate Athletic Association by the CCAA Presidents and Chancellors Board. This position...

Thanksgiving Day: The day to stuff your face with food and football

Justin Couchot
November 23, 2017

It is that time of year once again. The one time a year that it is socially acceptable to sit with or without family stuffing your face with turkey while staying planted in front of a TV watching football.Watching...

MLB 2017 awards recap

Justin Couchot
November 18, 2017

This year in baseball was an exciting one. We saw the record set for most home runs hit by the league, beating the record set in 2000. We saw the city of Houston get its first World Series ever just...

Photo credit: Sean Martens

Gary Towne and Chico State run the CCAA

Justin Couchot
November 15, 2017
A look into the mind of one of Chico State's most successful coach, cross-country coach Gary Towne.

Astros and Dodgers making World Series exciting for all

Justin Couchot
October 31, 2017

A year after the Cubs won their first World Series in 108 years, both the Astros and Dodgers are seeking to end World Series droughts of their own.The Astros, are yet to win a World Series in their franchise's...

Photo credit: Justin Couchot

Wildcats finish strong for senior day

Justin Couchot
October 25, 2017

The seniors lead by example for the Wildcats this weekend, finishing strong on senior day for both men's and women's soccer.After confirming their playoff appearance in a shutout Friday, the Chico State...

Senior defender Donta'e Garcia heads the ball away from the opposition. Photo credit: Ryan Mccasland

Wildcats offense carries team in weekend nail biters

Justin Couchot
October 16, 2017
Despite allowing 4 goals, the Wildcats offense helps split the weekend matchups verses Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State San Bernardino

MLB World Series: How could each team come out on top?

Justin Couchot
October 5, 2017
A look into what each teams needs to have a chance at winning the world series

Political protests continue to take shape

Justin Couchot
October 3, 2017
From the Bay Area to Chico State, recent political protests cannot be ignored.
Photo credit: Sean Martens

Wildcat of the Week

Justin Couchot
September 22, 2017
Get to know Chico mens soccer forward Carter Johnson
Junior forward Jeremiah Egujie fights for the ball against a defender.

Wildcats back in form and ready to defend the house

Justin Couchot
September 19, 2017
Wildcats rebound from back to back home losses with a strong road trip.
Wildcat returns to the field

Wildcat returns to the field

Justin Couchot
September 13, 2017
Wildcats senior forward Dylan Wakefield is back from injury and ready for one more season.
The Panda Returns

The Panda Returns

Justin Couchot
September 3, 2017
Pablo Sandoval returns to the Giants whethe

Boo(g) Who?!

Justin Couchot
August 25, 2017
Getting to know a new member of the Oakland Athletics with a little name fun!