Chico State's spring semester is officially underway, with hundreds of Wildcat student-athletes resuming their studies while anxiously awaiting the eventual return of sports competition. But 10 members of the Wildcat Family, having satisfied their academic responsibilities in December, are foregoing their final season of athletic eligibility to begin the next chapter of their young lives. We take this time to salute the freshly-minted graduates and wish them well on their future endeavors, providing career overviews and comments from the Wildcats coaches who have helped guide them.
 
Nick Caputo—Men's Golf
On the course, Caputo averaged 75.3 strokes per round in his Chico State career, racking up seven top 25 tournament finishes, including two top 10 efforts. A 2019–20 All-California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Honorable Mention, the Hollister product was no less successful in the classroom, earning four CCAA All-Academic honors, three Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Awards, and the 2019–20 Golf Coaches Association of America-Srixon/Cleveland Golf Division II All-Academic Scholar Award. Caputo graduated with a master's degree in business administration.
 
"Nick is one of the most dedicated student-athletes I have had the pleasure of coaching. He continued to work hard on his game, while excelling in the classroom. He had his best season going right as the pandemic cut it short, continuing to get better and better every week. He will be graduating with a master's degree in business administration and as an academic All-American. I couldn't be prouder of him." Men's Golf Head Coach Nick Green  
 
 
Alex Davila—Men's Track & Field
A longtime cornerstone of the Wildcats' stable of talented decathletes, Davila reached the CCAA Championship podium twice, with second place decathlon finishes in 2018 and 2019. The northern California native graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication studies.
 
"Alex has been an inspiration to his teammates the moment he joined our team out of Corning High School. That's why we call him "CORNFED!" He remains an inspiration to me to this day. He's always had a blend of incredible work ethic, competitive fire, and a fun and cooperative spirit. I will miss his physical presence, but his impact to our program will remain as a part of our culture and Ohana vibe. Big things are awaiting for Cornfed!" Men's Track & Field Head Coach Oliver Hanf  
 
 
Cameron Tomlinson—Men's Cross Country/Men's Track & Field
The 2019–20 campaign was Tomlinson's best among his four cross country seasons, scoring three top 30 finishes for the 'Cats. Tomlinson recorded a personal best time in the 1,500 meter run four times during the 2018–19 track & field season, culminating with a 3:57 effort at the Bryan Clay Invitational. Tomlinson graduated with a bachelor's degree in business finance.
 
"Cameron has been a real positive force on our team. He's always got a smile on his face, and brought a real positive energy to practice. He's also been very influential with the (Student-Athlete Advisory Committee) program through his time here. Cameron was just starting to emerge as a solid runner on our team when he tore his arch during a track race. After a year of rehabbing and building strength he enjoyed his best cross country season (by far) in 2019, just missing our championship roster. Unfortunately COVID hit and basically cancelled what would have been an incredible track season in 2020.  I'm very grateful for everything that Cameron did to help make our team better during his time here." Men's Cross Country Head Coach Gary Towne
                                          
 
Garrett Hogbin—Men's Soccer
One of the most decorated Wildcat men's soccer players of recent years, the dynamite defender twice earned All-CCAA and All-West Region honors while helping lead Chico State to three postseason appearances. In 2019, Hogbin was named Third Team All-America by the Division II Conference Coaches Association and was a major factor in the 'Cats securing an NCAA Championship Tournament berth. He also made his mark in the classroom, receiving 2019–20 CCAA All-Academic accolades. Hogbin graduated with a bachelor's degree in business marketing.
 
"Garrett has been our team captain and one of the best leaders we've had during my tenure as head coach.  He made every moment count and was focused on improving himself and the team. There are no limits for this young man." Men's Soccer Head Coach Felipe Restrepo
 
 
Sam Mulock—Softball
The left-handed hurler was extremely productive in the pitcher's circle in each of her four Wildcat seasons, and leaves the program ranked fourth all-time in earned run average (1.81) and eighth in wins (33). Mulock tossed a no-hitter as a freshman and helped lead the 'Cats to the 2018 NCAA West Region title. But she saved her best for last during the COVID-shortened 2020 season, posting a perfect 10-0 record and a miniscule 0.79 earned run average, ranking 11th among all Division II softball pitchers nationwide. Mulock also shined in the classroom, earning 2019–20 CCAA All-Academic honors. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in psychology, and is now working on her master's in her hometown of San Diego.  
 
"Sam will go down as one of the best pitchers in Chico State Softball history. She is a great person and teammate, and she will be missed by all of us. Thank you for being a hard-working student and for all your hilarious Sam stories. You're awesome and we know you will continue to do great things." Softball Head Coach Angel Shamblin
 
 
Pedro Cruz—Men's Cross Country/Men's Track & Field
Though his running career at Chico State lasted just two years, the transfer from Cal State East Bay distinguished himself as one of the hardest-working harriers on Gary Towne's talented roster. Cruz's high water mark as a 'Cat was his impressive fifth place finish at the 2019 Capital Cross Challenge in Sacramento. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology.
 
"I learned very quickly that Pedro is a very respectful,hard-working young man. When you work with student-athletes who you know are not taking their college experience for granted, it's refreshing. During Pedro's entire time in Chico, he worked jobs to pay for his college expenses, while balancing big unit semesters, while never missing a practice. Pedro's approach to being a student-athlete was inspiring to myself and his teammates. I'm very proud of Pedro and know that he has a lot to look forward to in the coming years." Men's Cross Country Head Coach Gary Towne
 
 
Cooper Renteria—Men's Soccer
One of the Wildcats' most durable midfielders, Renteria appeared in all but two of Chico State's combined 37 matches in 2018 and 2019, coming through with three goals and an assist to help lead the 'Cats to a pair of postseason appearances and a 2018 NCAA Championship Tournament berth. The Sacramento product took his classes seriously as well, earning 2019–20 CCAA All-Academic honors. Renteria graduated with a bachelor's degree in business marketing.
 
"When I recruited Cooper I saw a huge upside in him. With work he would become a good player. Now that I have spent almost five years with him, I feel this way more than ever. His development and growth has been tremendous in our program these past few years, but we are not going to see the best out of him just yet. He is a quality young man, a future leader, and has compassion or others. Big things are to come for Cooper Renteria." Men's Soccer Head Coach Felipe Restrepo
 
 
Nicole Marquez—Women's Soccer
An emotional touchstone for the Chico State women's soccer team, Marquez developed into a leader both on and off the pitch. She leaves the program not with glittering statistics, but rather with the reputation as a fierce competitor whose infectious personality was universally loved by her teammates. Marquez was a star in the classroom, too, earning four CCAA All-Academic Awards and three Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Awards. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology.
 
 "Nicole is that special teammate all teams hope to have, because they simply make each day better. Nicole is fun, energetic, loud, and willing to speak up and BRING it every day at training. Nicole was that player! We will miss her infectious smile and ability to effect games with her vocal leadership and fabulous touch." Women's Soccer Head Coach Kim Sutton


Jose Paredes—Men's Soccer
Paredes was a part of the men's soccer program for two years, but 2019—in what turned out to be his final season with the Wildcats—put him the program's elite goalkeepers. The southern California product started all 17 matches between the pipes, recording six shutouts (four in succession) and posting the fifth-best goals against average (0.71) in Chico State history. Parades received the United Soccer Coaches' Third Team All-West Region honors, while also earning a 2019–20 CCAA All-Academic award. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management.
 
"Jose has been an inspiration to all of us. He's an incredible player and person. I am extremely proud of the focus and discipline he has demonstrated to achieve his success. Like Garret and Cooper, he is just starting to catch stride. Keep dreaming BIG Mono!" Men's Soccer Head Coach Felipe Restrepo
 
 
Molly Mulay—Women's Cross Country/Women's Track & Field
Injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic may have limited her chances to compete, but Mulay's hard work and willingness to battle through the pain during her two years as a Wildcat won the undying respect of her teammates. Despite her injuries, Mulay was still able to notch a pair of top 25 cross country finishes and personal best times in the 1,500- and 5,000-meter runs. She applied that same work ethic to her studies, as evidenced by three CCAA All-Academic honors and the 2018–19 Division II Athletic Directors Association Academic Achievement Award. Mulay graduated with a bachelor's degree in exercise physiology.
 
"Molly transferred from Cal State Monterey Bay midway through her college years and immediately proved herself athletically and academically.  The COVID shutdown has played such a tough role on so many athletes' college experiences, but perhaps no one was affected quite as drastically as Molly. Coming off a tough compartment syndrome surgery, Molly was just returning to top form as the fall '19 semester ended. She had 1 full year of eligibility remaining in both track and cross country in 2020 before graduating in December. Unfortunately, COVID hit and wiped out her final two seasons of eligibility. I am thankful for Molly's time on our team, and for her diligence to be as good as she could be as a student and an athlete." Women's Cross Country Head Coach Gary Towne