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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion
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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion
Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion
All content by Nicholas Woodard
Cat Bites: A farewell to sports

Cat Bites: A farewell to sports

Nicholas Woodard
December 14, 2014
Sports editor Nick Woodard shares a parting message after three semesters of working on the sports section of The Orion.
Former Chico State pitcher Nick Baker has been named the 2014 Orion Sports male Wildcat of the Year. Photo courtesy of Nick Baker.

Baker, Furner named Wildcats of the Year

Nicholas Woodard
December 14, 2014
Two Chico State athletes have been crowned as the first ever Wildcats of the Year.
Ryan Patten, Chico State chair of the political science department.

Chair presents new crime book

Nicholas Woodard
November 18, 2014
Chico State's political science chair Ryan Patten presented the findings of the book he and former political science professor Lori Beth Way coauthored.
Chico State goalkeeper Brianna Furner in a match earlier this season. Photo credit: John Domogma

Wildcat of the Year: Nominee Announcement

Nicholas Woodard
November 4, 2014
Four men and four women have been nominated for the 2014 Orion Sports Wildcat of the Year.
Chico State golfer Lee Gearhart examines the green before making a putt. Photo credit: John Domogma

Men’s golf team wins tournament

Nicholas Woodard
October 29, 2014
The Chico State men's golf team won the Rock Barn Collegiate Invitational on Tuesday.
Nick Woodard

Cat Bites: Classic rivalry reheats for playoffs

Nicholas Woodard
October 21, 2014
Giants and Dodger fans are forever engaged in a classic dispute over who's got the better squad. The rivalry is healthy and in good fun, but someone has to have the final say.
Nick Woodard, Sports Editor.

Cat Bite: Playoff rivalries can go too far

Nicholas Woodard
October 15, 2014
The baseball playoffs make some of the best memories in sports. But, as this sports editor learned, these intense games can create for some heated situations.
Chico State golfer Justin Wiles takes a shot during a round of golf. Photo courtesy TL Brown.

Wildcat of the Week: Justin Wiles

Nicholas Woodard
October 8, 2014
Chico State golfer Justin Wiles was recently named the CCAA Golfer of the Week.
Chico State golfer Justin Wiles finished first at the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate on Tuesday. Photo courtesy Chico Wildcats.

‘Cats golf team takes first individually, second as team

Nicholas Woodard
October 1, 2014
Justin Wiles took first place at the Western New Mexico Fall Intercollegiate, while Chico State took second as a team
Lindsay Quigley, second from right, sets up for a return in a set earlier last season. Orion file photo.

Wildcat of the Week: Lindsay Quigley

Nicholas Woodard
September 30, 2014
Chico State volleyball player Lindsay Quigley is this week's The Orion's Wildcat of the Week.

A history of Willie the WildCat

Nicholas Woodard
September 2, 2014
Recently, Chico State unveiled the logo for the new-look Willie the Wildcat. The Orion took the opportunity to document the history behind the mascot.
Chico State catcher Peter Miller connects during a game earlier this year. Photo credit: Grant Mahan

’Cats eliminated from College World Series

Nicholas Woodard
May 26, 2014
Chico State baseball team falls 14-6 to Tampa in elimination game Monday.
Chico State outfielder Ryne Clark connects earlier this season. The senior went 2 for 4 in Saturday's loss to Lander in the College World Series Photo credit: Alex Boesch

Chico State falls in College World Series opener

Nicholas Woodard
May 24, 2014
Chico State falls 6-4 to Lander in opener of NCAA College World Series
The Chico State baseball team dog piles after winning the NCAA West Region Championship. Photo courtesy of Brooke Langeloh.

‘Cats crowned West Region champs

Nicholas Woodard
May 18, 2014
Chico State baseball team wins NCAA West Region championship.
Marcos Lara threw seven shutout innings to help the Wildcats to a 2-0 win Friday night. Photo courtesy Chico Wildcats.

Chico State gets past California Baptist

Nicholas Woodard
May 16, 2014
Wildcats win 2-0, move on in NCAA West Regional
Mistuloff threw a season-high 5.2 innings in a clutch 5-2 win over Cal Poly Pomona for Chico State. Photo courtesy Chico Wildcats

‘Cats come through in must-win game

Nicholas Woodard
May 10, 2014
Chico State beats Cal Poly Pomona 5-2 in CCAA Championship tournament

Pitcher finishes career on strong arm

Nicholas Woodard
April 30, 2014
Nick Baker's career as the Chico State ace is almost coming to an end.
Senior golfer Sarah McComish (courtesy Chico Wildcats)

Wildcats headed back to championships

Nicholas Woodard
April 28, 2014
After five years of exclusion, the Chico State women's golf team has earned a spot to compete for a national championship.
Senior track athlete Theodore Elsenbaumer. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Relay team records huge time at Twilight Meet

Nicholas Woodard
April 13, 2014
The Chico State track and field team competed Saturday at the Twilight Meet.
Luke Barker closed out the inning pitching strong during Sundays game against the Cal State East Bay Pioneers. Photo credit: Grant Mahan

Chico State baseball pushed by pitchers

Nicholas Woodard
April 9, 2014
The Wildcats have a superior pitching staff, thanks to a few new faces and a new role for a veteran player.
Jake Bailey, a senior kinesiology major, opens his glove, waiting to receive a pitch during Saturday's second game of the double header against CSU East Bay. Photo credit: Grant Mahan

Wildcat catchers display good grip on game

Nicholas Woodard
April 8, 2014
Catching is no easy task, but three Chico State players are up to the challenge.
Chico State heptathlete Kristen Brunk. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Seven Wildcats finish in top 10 at Delta Invite

Nicholas Woodard
April 5, 2014
Chico State's decathletes and heptathletes compete at the Delta Mustang Invitational.
Clark prepares to throw his bat and run for first base. Photo credit: Emily Teague

Former quarterback catches break as Wildcat outfielder

Nicholas Woodard
March 31, 2014
A Chico State outfielder played football for San Diego State before becoming a Wildcat.
Senior John Brunk competes in the hurdles event Saturday during the Chico State Four-Year Invitational. Photo credit: Salahadin Albutti

Chico State dominates at home invitational

Nicholas Woodard
March 30, 2014
The Chico State track teams won several events Saturday in the Chico State Four-Year Invitational.
Christian Franco played for Chico State during the 1999 and 2000 baseball seasons. Photo courtesy of the Chico State.

Former Wildcat remembered as ‘positive force,’ great teammate

Nicholas Woodard
March 29, 2014
Christian Franco, a baseball player on the 1999 NCAA Championship-winning team, passed away Feb. 15 after a fatal car crash.
Senior Isaac Chavez. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

‘Cats Shine at Humboldt Invitational

Nicholas Woodard
March 9, 2014
The Chico State track and field team took home plenty of medals at Saturday's Humboldt Invitational.
Brooke Whitburn participates in the second round of the long jump.Photo credit: Annie Paige

Track ’Cats continue success during Friday’s meet

Nicholas Woodard
March 1, 2014
Three Seniors qualify for the NCAA championship during the the second day of the Chico Multi-Classic.
Senior decathlete John Brunk. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Wildcats open season, crush records at Chico Multi-Event Classic

Nicholas Woodard
February 28, 2014
Decathletes turn in huge performances as they kick off the 2014 track season.
Nate Appel, senior men's basketball player, uses a ball with hero Larry Bird's name on it. Photo credit: Quinn Western.

Wildcats look back at their athletic heroes

Nicholas Woodard
February 28, 2014
Chico State student athletes discuss the players that influence their work.
Faces in the Crowd: Former professor tutors, cheers for baseball team

Faces in the Crowd: Former professor tutors, cheers for baseball team

Nicholas Woodard
February 26, 2014
A retired communications professor enjoys watching the young men she tutors play baseball.
Sarah Rebibo, junior guard on the women's basketball team, credits her family for her success in the sport. Photo courtesy of Chico State.

Long distances do not derail family support

Nicholas Woodard
February 18, 2014
Two Chico State athletes have great support bases in their families, regardless of distance.
Nick Woodard

‘Cat Bites: Gay athletes deserve to play

Nicholas Woodard
February 15, 2014
The announcement of an openly gay football player opened a can of absurdity in the sports world.
Nick Baker, senior pitcher, prepares to release a throw. Photo courtesy of Chico State Sports Information Department.

Wildcat baseball catches preseason awards

Nicholas Woodard
February 12, 2014
Two Chico State baseball players were given preseason first-team all-west region honors.
Nick Woodard

‘Cat Bites: Tackling Super Bowl essentials

Nicholas Woodard
February 1, 2014
Don't forget anything on this list of key ingredients for a memorable Super Bowl Sunday.
Nick Woodard

Cat Bites: Upholding a reputation in sports media

Nicholas Woodard
January 24, 2014
A pumped up cornerback gave athletes everywhere a perfect example of what not to do when a camera is pointed at your face.
Jazmine Miller, a senior guard, plays defense XX night at Acker Gym.Photo credit: Frances Mansour

‘Cats guard breaks records, receives honors

Nicholas Woodard
January 20, 2014
Senior Jazmine Miller has added a string of milestones to her already impressive run at Chico State.

Sports provide good break from studying

Nicholas Woodard
December 8, 2013
Finals can be stressful. Good thing we have sports.

Records Set at Fall Meet

Nicholas Woodard
December 6, 2013
The Chico State track and field team set new records at its Fall intrasquad meet
Senior outside hitter Alex Shurtz tries to get a dig against Humboldt State in a game Friday, Nov. 22.Photo credit: Dan Reidel.

Seniors reflect on their time as Wildcats

Nicholas Woodard
December 2, 2013
Three seniors share their struggles and accomplishments

Turkeys and Pigskin

Nicholas Woodard
November 22, 2013
What better way than to spend Thanksgiving than throwing TD's to families

Hoop, hoop, hooray for new recruits

Nicholas Woodard
November 19, 2013
Men's basketball sets sights on future seasons with two talented early signers who will join the 'Cats on the court in fall 2014.
Photograph by Lara Rodriguez (From left) Emily Duran, Alex Shurtz and Lindsay Quigley have set the record books ablaze this semester.

Record-breaking roommates

Nicholas Woodard
November 18, 2013
A trio of roomates are making their names known in the Chico State record books

Crossing the Line

Nicholas Woodard
November 17, 2013
Bullying is a serious problem in sports, a problem that has no end in sight

Wildcats land a pair of hoopers

Nicholas Woodard
November 16, 2013
The Chico State men's basketball team recruited two of Northern California's top 40 players on Wednesday.

Pet peeves in sports

Nicholas Woodard
November 13, 2013
The biggest pet peeves in the sporting world

Wildcats win big on road

Nicholas Woodard
November 9, 2013
The Chico State women's basketball team beat The Dominican University of California 88-60 Saturday.

High hopes for hoopers: Women’s basketball

Nicholas Woodard
November 5, 2013
After winning their conference and reaching the NCAA Championship tournament for the ninth time in the past 11 years, the Chico State women’s basketball team just wants one thing this season. They want to do it all over again. The team, fresh off of a 20-6 record in the 2012-13 season, has gone back to...

Nicknames: The good, the awful

Nicholas Woodard
November 5, 2013
Nicknames, when done right, are great for players and teams. Unfortunately, many are not done right.

Athletic fields provide unique ground for ’Cats

Nicholas Woodard
November 2, 2013
A breakdown of the Wildcats home turf and the advantages it provides

Bearded athletes claim enhanced performance

Nicholas Woodard
October 29, 2013
A commentary about famous bearded athletes.

Chico State wins overtime thriller on Senior Day

Nicholas Woodard
October 27, 2013
The Chico State women's soccer team won 1-0 in overtime to stay alive in the California Collegiate Athletic Association

Seniors ready to lead women’s basketball team back to glory

Nicholas Woodard
October 27, 2013
The Chico State women's basketball team has its eyes on an encore season.

Wildcat Playbook: BRING THE BEARD

Nicholas Woodard
October 25, 2013
Why its suddenly OK to get hairy in sports

Wildcats win 2-0

Nicholas Woodard
October 21, 2013
The Chico State women's soccer team beat Humboldt State 2-0 Sunday

Sportsmanship: It’s for everyone

Nicholas Woodard
October 17, 2013
Why sportsmanship is important in sports, why it should be to you.

You are what you eat

Nicholas Woodard
October 15, 2013
Sports Nutritionist Tracy Berman has had a huge effect on Chico State athletics

Wildcats fall to UC San Diego

Nicholas Woodard
October 13, 2013
The Chico State women's soccer team lost to UC San Diego 2-0 Sunday

Supporting athletics

Nicholas Woodard
October 11, 2013
It's time to support Chico State athletics
Chants pump up the bleachers

Chants pump up the bleachers

Nicholas Woodard
October 8, 2013
A group of Chico State students have become a routine sight at soccer games, cheering on their fellow Wildcats.

Chico State drops game late

Nicholas Woodard
October 6, 2013
The Chico State women's soccer team lost in the final minutes against San Francisco State 1-0 Sunday

Keep calm and WREC on

Nicholas Woodard
October 3, 2013
Sometimes, being too competitive at the Wildcat Recreation Center is a bad thing

Wildcats score in overtime, snap winless streak

Nicholas Woodard
September 29, 2013
The Chico State women's soccer team won an overtime thriller to break a two-game losing streak Sunday.
Photo by The Orion There has been a spike in bike thefts so far this year including expensive mountain bikes.

Mountain biking: Edging theft

Nicholas Woodard
September 29, 2013
In the midst of a series of bike thefts, mountain bikers have remained confident and determined to ride.
Carter Caldwell Torri Sims sprints back to keep the ball from heading towards the Wildcats' goal.

Women’s soccer falls to Pomona in OT

Nicholas Woodard
September 22, 2013
The Chico State women's soccer team lost 1-0 in overtime Sunday against Cal Poly Pomona.
Shelby Keck Chico State women's coach Kim Sutton directs the players to move the ball down field during practice at the soccer stadium Wednesday.

Women’s soccer coach reaches milestone

Nicholas Woodard
September 21, 2013
Kim Sutton recently won her 250th game as a head coach, but numbers aren't what's important to her.
Shelby Keck

Sights set on Rio

Nicholas Woodard
September 18, 2013
An unlikely standout, blind sprinter Kym Crosby joined Chico State’s track team two years ago.

Women’s soccer experiences first loss of season

Nicholas Woodard
September 16, 2013
The Chico State women’s soccer team suffered its first loss of the season Sunday, in the form of a 2-0 shutout to Cal State Stanislaus. The Warriors first went ahead 15 minutes into the game when Karenee Demery knocked a header in for a score on a combined assist from Marissa McDuffy and Katelyn Nebesnick. Demery...

Chico State shuts out Cal State East Bay

Nicholas Woodard
September 13, 2013
The women's soccer team played strong defense to win on the road.

Behind the scenes: From athlete to assistant

Nicholas Woodard
September 10, 2013
Behind every well-oiled sports team, there’s a hard-working coach making all the right moves. And behind that coach, an assistant coach working just as hard. “It’s a lot to handle,” said Zach Bradford, the assistant men’s soccer coach at Chico State. “It’s my first fall semester as the head assistant coach, so it’s new for...