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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 Karina Cope
COVID-19 infects NCAA playoffs

COVID-19 infects NCAA playoffs

Karina Cope, Staff Writer
March 30, 2020

Coach Greg Clink watches his team play from the sidelines.Photo courtesy of Ryan McCasland/Chico State Athletics. The cancellation of various athletic programs across not only the country, but the...

Chico State Wildcats take on the Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles in Acker Gym.

[Photo] Wildcats come out victorious in their ninth straight

Alex Martin
January 26, 2020

Chico State Wildcats take on the Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles in Acker Gym.

Death of Chico State head volleyball coach, Cody Hein

Matthew Wreden, Karina Cope and
January 25, 2020

Head coach of the Chico State volleyball team, Cody Hein, died on Friday, Jan. 24 at 47 years old. His passing was due to an ongoing heart condition.   Hein finished up his 17th year leading Chico...

The tip-off begins the game between Chico State and Cal State Dominguez Hills.

[Photo] Consistent defense and free throws – crucial for a win

Nicolas Espino
January 24, 2020

The tip-off begins the game between Chico State and Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Freshman Liz Geraghty positioning her free kick against Sonoma State. Photo credit: Mary Vogel

How young talent is recruited

Karina Cope
December 3, 2019

For young teenagers in high school, being admired by, sought after and recruited by a college can seem like the beginning stages of stardom. However, this process can also be intimidating and stressful...

Talia Swangler running in race at the Cross Country Championships. Photo credit: Gary Towne

Cross country runner pushes on through tragedy

Karina Cope
November 17, 2019

Talia Swangler was raised in Paradise and attended Butte College after high school. She then transferred to Chico State before the start of her junior year. Less than three months after her transition,...

Chico player, Shay Stark and Holy Names player, Elle Burland, face off each other during the last ten minutes of the game. Photo credit: Melissa Herrera

Wildcats shake Acker Gym during their season home opener

Karina Cope
November 13, 2019

Women’s basketball is off to a hot start as they introduced their new 2019-2020 season team to Acker Gym Tuesday night, Nov. 12. The Wildcats hosted the Holy Names University Hawks in the first home...

Photo credit: Karina Cope

Paradise High Athletics bounces back after Camp Fire

Karina Cope
November 12, 2019

In the year since the Camp Fire, life has been filled with destruction, loss and sorrow for each person affected by its destruction. However, this one year has also brought reconstruction, community bonding,...

The volleyball team huddles up to strategize about the game. Photo credit: Mary Vogel

Senior spotlight shines on four, star players

Karina Cope
November 11, 2019

Stakes were high and so were the emotions at Saturday night’s volleyball game against the Stanislaus State Warriors. Senior night was celebrated for the Wildcats as this was their last regular season...

Kim Wright and Kelly Jacome work side by side to prevent San Francisco from hitting the ball to their side. Photo credit: Melissa Herrera

Regular season winds down as Wildcats are still in full throttle

Karina Cope
November 8, 2019

The season is winding down for Chico State volleyball and they are determined to make the most out of the later part of their regular season. Wildcats took home a win, three games to one, against...

Student athletes behind the scenes, outside of practice

Karina Cope
October 28, 2019

Exercising and working out apart from scheduled practices is crucial to an athlete's success on the playing field, court or track. Implementing a solid gym routine into their weekly schedules keeps athletes...

A player focuses on his target as he winds up for a toss. Photo credit: Mary Vogel

Chico State students strive to break a Guinness World Record

Karina Cope
October 27, 2019

A chance to be a part of history in the Guinness Book of World Records? Some cornhole competition? Free burgers? Chico State students said, ‘Count me in!’ On Friday, Oct. 25, Chico State made...

Ryan O' Callaghan explaining his struggles with his sexuality. Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Ryan O’Callaghan’s journey as a gay man in the NFL

Karina Cope
October 14, 2019

For star football player Ryan O’Callaghan, growing up was hard. Raised in a conservative environment, strong beliefs were instilled in him early.O’Callaghan kept a deep secret for 34 years....

Chico State taking advantage of their possession of the ball. Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Women’s soccer comeback after losing their home game streak

Karina Cope
October 13, 2019

The Wildcats embark on a new home game winning streak after their first home game loss in a while against Cal Poly Pomona. Friday’s defeat marked the breaking of the women’s soccer...

Chico State volleyball team in Acker Gym about to face off against Humboldt State. Oct. 5, 2019 Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Video: Chico State Volleyball v.s. Humboldt State

Melissa Herrera and Karina Cope
October 6, 2019

Reporter Karina Cope interviews outside hitter Grace Shepherd and middle hitter Makaela Keeve about the team's victory over Humboldt State on Saturday night. Karina Cope can be reached at [email protected]...

Makaela Keeve spiking the ball over the net. Photo credit: Hana Beaty

Strong October Offense for Volleyball

Karina Cope
October 5, 2019

The first week of October is off to a solid start for Chico State volleyball, as the Wildcats were victorious in two of their three home games this past week. With a win against Cal State East Bay and...

Aidan Finney without his helmet during practice. Photo credit: Mary Vogel

Next level football for Pleasant Valley senior, Aidan Finney

Karina Cope
October 2, 2019

The passion for sports runs through the veins of tri-sport athlete, Aidan Finney of Pleasant Valley High School. Finney, a senior this year, plays football, baseball and basketball for the Pleasant Valley...

Hailey Fune is currently a senior at Chico High School and has participated in the track and field team all four years. Photo credit: Karina Cope

Athlete to watch: Hailey Fune

Karina Cope
October 1, 2019

Big things have come from track and field star, Hailey Fune, recently and she expects to see bigger things from herself in the near future. Fune, now a senior at Chico High, made her claim to fame when...

Head athletic trainer Scott Barker working with an athlete alongside his assistant, Halie Hall Photo credit: Karina Cope

What it means to be an athletic trainer

Karina Cope
September 23, 2019

Behind the scenes in the world of athletics, there is a group of hard working, dedicated individuals that keep the athletes we admire in top physical health. They are the athletic trainers and they serve...

Head athletic trainer Scott Barker working with an athlete alongside his assistant, Halie Hall Photo credit: Karina Cope

What it means to be an athletic trainer

Karina Cope
September 23, 2019

Behind the scenes in the world of athletics, there is a group of hard working, dedicated individuals that keep the athletes we admire in top physical health. They are the athletic trainers and they serve...

Bekah Boyle spikes the ball past Monterrey Bay's blockers. Photo credit: Mary Vogel

First home game is a clean sweep for Wildcat volleyball

Karina Cope
September 21, 2019

In the home opener of the regular season, Chico State volleyball definitely showed California State University, Monterey Bay who’s house they were at. With a win on Friday in three sets, the Wildcats...

After a defensive steal, Marcus Rehrman charges down the court toward the basket with the defender, Peter Koenen, closely guarding during a scrimmage game on March 4, 2019. Photo credit: Olyvia Simpson

Wildcat students enjoy intramural sports

Karina Cope
September 16, 2019

Intramural sports here at Chico State have been one of the many things that this school takes pride in. In a fun, structured environment students enrolled in six or more units can sign up for...

Alexi Vontsolos in defensive battle with Holy Names player. Photo credit: Melissa Herrera

Women’s soccer on a roll with a three-game winning streak

Karina Cope
September 15, 2019

Women’s soccer took home their third victory with a 4-0 win against Holy Names University on Saturday. Chico State offense brought the intensity, allowing them to score four goals against Holy Names....

The Chico State Wildcats line up before their home game against Sonoma State in this archive photo. Photo credit: Ricardo Tovar

Wildcats sweep at the Division II West Region Volleyball Showcase

Karina Cope
September 12, 2019

Chico State brought the heat to La Jolla in the Division II West Region Volleyball Showcase. On Thursday, the Wildcats swept Montana State University Billings and Saint Martin’s University clean....

Instructor Austin Stahl teaches a breakaway technique to two students. Photo credit: Lucero Del Rayo-Nava

Self-defense and what it’s worth

Karina Cope
September 10, 2019

There are certain skill sets deemed to be more valuable than others. There are also certain skill sets that save lives. The art of self-defense falls under both. Chico State provides emergency blue light...

Jordan Doukakis having possession of the ball at home game. Photo Courtesy of Chico State Sports Information.

Women’s soccer puts their first win on the board

Karina Cope
September 8, 2019

Chico State women’s soccer came out on top against Regis University on Sunday with a 2-1 win. The Wildcats pulled out their first regular season win evening out their overall conference record 1-1. In...

Makaela Keeve spiking the ball in home game at Acker Gym.  Photo Courtesy of Chico State Sports Information.

Hawaii Challenge intensifies for the Wildcats in a five-set doubleheader

Karina Cope
September 7, 2019

Hawaii has been filled with nail-biting matches for our Chico State women’s volleyball team. On Friday the girls fought in a doubleheader that marked the second day of matches in the 2019 Hawaii Challenge....

Yankees season of shattered records

Karina Cope
September 2, 2019

Records are made to be broken and the New York Yankees are the powerhouse breaking them. On Aug. 25, in a series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Yankees set yet another MLB home run record.The record...

Mikey Hirsch running towards Holy Names player in exhibition match Saturday night. Photo credit: Lucero Del Rayo-Nava

Lucky equalizer for the Wildcats

Karina Cope
September 1, 2019

With the Men's Soccer season starting to pickup again, Chico State took on Holy Names University in an exhibition match under the Saturday night lights. The Wildcats took home a tie, with the final score...