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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

Nate Paddock

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter

Nate Paddock is a journalism major in his third year at Chico State. Nate has had a passion for sports since he could remember including basketball, football and soccer and is excited to incorporate that passion into The Orion. After graduation Nate hopes to become a beat writer for a professional team in any of the three sports listed earlier!

All content by Nate Paddock
Jordan Allred playing tight defense against the Sunbirds. Photo taken Nov. 9 by Megan Leblanc.

Women’s basketball shoots their way to an undefeated start

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
November 11, 2024

The Chico State women’s basketball team scooped up their second win of the season over Dominican University 75-68 bringing them to a 2-0 start to the season. The Wildcats shot the lights out the gym...

Miles Daniels driving to the cup against Seattle Pacific. Photo taken Nov. 8.

Men’s basketball fall short in nail bitter against the Cougars

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
November 11, 2024

The Wildcats men’s basketball team took on the Azusa Pacific Cougars in their second game of the season falling just short 81-78.  Despite holding a one-point lead at the half, the Cougars' consistency...

Wildcats celebrate winning a point against Cal Poly Pomona on Oct. 26. Photo taken by Jenna McMahon.

Tough night in San Francisco for the Wildcats

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
November 2, 2024

The Chico State Wildcats volleyball team took on the No. 20 San Francisco State Gators, but fell short of shaking up the California Collegiate Athletic Association despite the great individual performances...

Elijah Beverley(left) and Sylas Sells(right) celebrate after Sells scored a goal on Oct. 25 taken by Jenna McMahon. Sells goal tied the game 1-1 before the first half was over.

Wildcats and Broncos end with a draw after a four-goal nail-biter

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
October 27, 2024

The Chico State Wildcats men's soccer team (9-2-3, 3-1-3 CCAA) took on Cal Poly Pomona Broncos (8-1-5, 3-0-4 CCAA) Friday in an end to end contest that led to a 2-2 draw, leaving the Wildcats with one...

Kylie Matthews, Caitlyn Eichhorst, Jessie Camarillo and Kailie Flores celebrating a point against the Warriors. Taken Oct. 18 by Aaron Draper.

Chico State volleyball grabs big win against Stanislaus State

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
October 20, 2024

The Wildcats volleyball team (7-10, 4-6 CCAA) faced off with Stanislaus State Warriors (13-5, 6-4 CCAA) in a back-and-forth battle that led to Chico State bringing home their fourth California Collegiate...

Sophomore outside hitter Maria Wahl attacking the ball against SF State. Taken Oct. 5 by Aaron Draper.

Chico State Volleyball drop both in LA road trip

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
October 14, 2024

The Wildcats volleyball team (6-9, 3-5 CCAA) took on both Cal State LA Golden Eagles (10-5, 5-3 CCAA) and Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros (6-10, 3-5 CCAA) over the weekend in their second California Collegiate...

Darius Dukes dribbling down the wing, leaving his defender on the ground. Taken by Aaron Draper on Oct. 6.

Chico State men’s soccer drops points against Dominguez Hills

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
October 6, 2024

The Chico State men’s soccer team took on the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros Sunday in a high-scoring battle that ended in a stalemate, 2-2. Both of the Wildcats’ goals were provided from penalties,...

Claire Nordeen and Kassandra Nall discussing tactics prior to the third set. Taken by Aaron Draper on Oct. 5

Chico State volleyball falls short to San Francisco State

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
October 6, 2024

Chico State picked up their third conference loss in four sets to a tough San Francisco State Gators squad (11-3) in a game that was tighter than the box score may show.  The Wildcats struggled in...

Avery Pieri and Jordan Brail forcing the ball back to midfield in hopes of gaining back possession. Taken by Nate Paddock Sept. 8.

Chico State women’s soccer falls to Cal State LA in conference opener

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
October 6, 2024

Coming off a three-game unbeaten streak, the Wildcats had hopes of knocking off the defending California Collegiate Athletic Association champs, Cal State LA Golden Eagles, in their first conference game...

Freshman setter Claire Nordeen celebrating a point against Cal Poly Humboldt. Taken by Lexi Lynn on Sept. 27

Chico State volleyball improves to 2-1 in conference play after sweeping The Lumberjacks

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
September 28, 2024

The Chico State women's Volleyball team dominated the Cal Poly Humboldt Lumberjacks, sweeping them despite the last minute location change from Acker gym to Pleasant Valley High School due to power outages....

Chico State women’s soccer huddling up pre-game preparing to take on the Biola University Eagles. Taken by Nate Paddock on Sept. 25, 2024.

Wildcats women’s soccer escape with a draw

Lukas Mann and Nate Paddock
September 26, 2024

Chico State women's soccer (2-1-3) squeaked out a 2-2 draw Wednesday night against the Biola University Eagles (0-3-4).  The Wildcats had an aggressive start, thanks to their newly-found formation...

Madison Noll closing in on Natalie Mendoza while working on transition defense in preparation for Jessup University 
Taken Sept. 23

Martin and Souza play big roles during the Washington road trip

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
September 18, 2024

Chico State women’s soccer traveled to the state of Washington to take on Central Washington University  and Seattle Pacific University in their first road trip of the year, with both games resulting...

Chico State women’s soccer team huddling up before their game against Colorado School of Mines. Photo taken by Nate Paddock on Sept. 8.

[Photo] Chico State women’s soccer suffers hard fought loss against Colorado School of Mines

Trevor Lee, Reporter
September 9, 2024

Chico State women’s soccer team huddling up before their game against Colorado School of Mines. Photo taken by Nate Paddock on Sept. 8.

Sophomore midfielder Jack Shane taking a corner kick in the second half of a friendly versus Jessup. Taken by Nate Paddock on Aug. 31.

El equipo masculino de fútbol de los Wildcats se prepara para una temporada prometedora

Nate Paddock, Reportero
September 8, 2024

El equipo de fútbol masculino de los Wildcats de Chico State entra en la temporada 2024 con un objetivo común entre jugadores y cuerpo técnico: ganar la conferencia. En 2023, los Wildcats terminaron...

Chico State women’s soccer team getting pumped up before kicking off the 2024 season. Taken by Nate Paddock on Sept. 5.

Women’s soccer flies through season opener against Regis

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
September 7, 2024

The Chico State women’s soccer team won 2-1 in their season opener against the Regis University Rangers on Thursday night, repeating their result of the 2023 season opener at Regis University.  The...

Sophomore midfielder Jack Shane taking a corner kick in the second half of a friendly versus Jessup. Taken by Nate Paddock on Aug. 31.

Wildcats men’s soccer set for a promising run

Nate Paddock, Sports Reporter
September 3, 2024

The Chico State Wildcats men’s soccer team is coming into the 2024 season with one common goal in mind amongst the players and staff: winning the conference.  In 2023, the Wildcats finished 11-2-7...

Left Fielder Troy Kent taking a swing in the 5th inning. Taken by Aaron Draper.

Chico State baseball drops to 5th after a tough series against East Bay

Nate Paddock, Reporter
May 2, 2024

After a dominating game one victory against Cal State East Bay, the Wildcats dropped the following three games, falling to 24-20 on the year and fifth place in the CCAA standings.  The Wildcats came...

Left Fielder Troy Kent taking a swing in the 5th inning. Taken by Aaron Draper.

Chico State baseball walks it off to split series against Monterey Bay

Nate Paddock, Reporter
April 22, 2024

Chico State baseball took on first-place Cal State Monterey Bay in a back-and-forth series this past weekend. The series ended with both teams collecting two wins, despite the Sea Otters taking wins in...

Katelyn Meeker, Tia Saunders run for College of Behavioral and Social Sciences senator

Katelyn Meeker, Tia Saunders run for College of Behavioral and Social Sciences senator

Alina Babajko and Nate Paddock
March 31, 2024

Katelyn Meeker and Tia Saunders are running for College of Behavioral and Social Sciences senator in the 2024 Associated Students general election. To read more about each candidate, see below. Katelyn...

Left Fielder Troy Kent taking a swing in the 5th inning. Taken by Aaron Draper.

Chico State baseball series opener sees split outcome.

Nate Paddock, Reporter
March 29, 2024

After a hot start to the series against Cal State Dominguez Hills for the Chico State baseball team, they Thursday's double header winning game one 7-2 and losing game two 5-3.  In game one, the Wildcats...

Kevin Lyons dominates on the mound, nearly blanking San Francisco State in game one. Taken by Aaron Draper on March 3.

Chico State baseball splits doubleheader with SF State on Sunday

Nate Paddock, Reporter
March 6, 2024

In a doubleheader on Sunday at Nettleton Stadium, the Chico State Wildcats and the San Francisco State Gators battled it out, resulting in a series split in the first two games.  Senior Kevin Lyons...

Joshua Hamilton driving to the hoop.

Joshua Hamilton reaches 1,000 career points against San Bernardino.

Nate Paddock, Reporter
March 1, 2024

Senior guard Joshua Hamilton reached an impressive achievement of 1,000 career points during his time at Chico State with an efficient  28-point performance against San Bernardino.  Hamilton models...

Jojo Murphy taking a 3-point shot to kick off the second half. Taken by Nate Paddock on Feb. 1.

Men’s basketball defends home court once again

Nate Paddock, Reporter
February 2, 2024

The Chico State men’s basketball squad added to their win total in good fashion against Cal State East Bay (82-71). The first half started with jabs thrown from both teams going back and forth, but...

Jordan Allred shooting a free-throw. Taken by Nate Paddock on Feb. 1.

Women’s basketball wins in a landslide

Nate Paddock, Reporter
February 2, 2024

The Chico State women’s basketball team added to their win streak in a dominant fashion on Thursday night against Cal State East Bay in a landslide (77-54). The first quarter started off slow as both...