The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

The student news site of Sacramento State University

The State Hornet

Student news without fear or favor
Jason Gallardo

Jason Gallardo, staff writer

Jason Gallardo covers sports at The State Hornet in his second semester. Jason joined the podcast program fall 2020 as a host of the Sports Spotlight. He hopes to work for ESPN after graduation.
All content by Jason Gallardo
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SPORTS SPOTLIGHT: Looking back on a semester of sports largely without sports

Podcast season finale asks how to play again safely
Jason Gallardo, Garry Singh, and Robbie Pierce
December 18, 2020
On the season finale of the Sports Spotlight, Jason Gallardo and Garry Singh look back on a semester of sports coverage largely without sports, and discuss when and how sports can continue safely amid COVID-19.
Incoming freshman Rudolfs Akenoks practicing tennis in Latvia. Akenoks will be able to come to Sacramento States campus in January. Photo courtesy of Rudolfs Akenoks.

International athletes caught between Sac State, home countries

Jason Gallardo
December 10, 2020
Many Sac State international athletes decided to stay in their home country until it is safe to return, while some chose to return to campus.
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SPORTS SPOTLIGHT PODCAST: Sac State alumnus discusses how to make it in sports radio

Jason Gallardo, Garry Singh, and Robbie Pierce
November 25, 2020
Sac State alumnus Kyle Madson, producer and co-host of several sports radio shows and podcasts, talks how to make it in the fast-moving world of sports radio as well as his predictions for the 49ers and his optimal tailgate setup.
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SPORTS SPOTLIGHT PODCAST: Sac State alumnus makes the cut in soccer, music and barbering

Garry Singh, Jason Gallardo, and Robbie Pierce
November 21, 2020
Jason Gallardo and Garry Singh interview Sac State alumnus Chimdum Mez, who was recently drafted by the MLS San Jose Earthquakes after playing professional soccer in Costa Rica.
Jazmin Carrasco, center, during practice at Hornet Stadium. This week on State Hornet Sports Spotlight, the Ventura native and community college success story discusses her love for and journey through the sport of basketball.

SPORTS SPOTLIGHT PODCAST: Sac State women’s basketball newcomer’s favorite pro players, memories and potatoes

Jason Gallardo
November 11, 2020
Sports writer Jason Gallardo interviews women’s basketball newcomer Jazmin Carrasco on her favorite teams, players and memories in the sport of basketball — and her favorite potato dishes.
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SPORTS SPOTLIGHT PODCAST: Sac State alumnus football player finds international success

Jason Gallardo and Robbie Pierce
November 4, 2020
Jason Gallardo talks to alumnus football player Garret Saffron, who bounced back from getting cut by the Oakland Raiders training camp to apply his craft in places like Italy and most recently Japan.
Aaliyah Fesili, goalkeeper for Sac States womens soccer team, warms up with head coach Randy Dedini at a socially distanced practice on Thursday Oct 8th, 2020. Fesili earned Goalie Of The Year in the Big Sky Conference last season.

Sac State goalie rebounds from ACL injury

Aaliyah Fesili earned Big Sky Goalkeeper of the Year
Jason Gallardo
October 14, 2020
Last season, Sacramento State redshirt junior soccer player Aaliyah Fesili was named Big Sky Goalkeeper of the Year and named to All-Big Sky Conference First team, after not being able to play the year before due to injury. 
Former Sac State football player Dariyn Choates said he started his clothing line, ONBS, in part because seeing his father become an entrepreneur inspired him to create his own business. Photo by Shaun Holkko, illustration by Rahul Lal.

Former Sac State football player finds a new calling

Q&A with Dariyn Choates on his clothing line and entrepreneurship
Jason Gallardo
September 25, 2020

The last time former Sacramento State football player Dariyn Choates put on a Hornets Jersey, it was against Austin Peay State University in the Hornets’ first-ever Division I playoff game in 2019. In...

Sac State sophomore Amber Koeth poses on the balance beam during a meet last year at the Nest. Koeth spoke with The State Hornet about her battle with depression. Photo courtesy of Sac State Athletics.

Sac State gymnast overcomes battle against mental health

Amber Koeth struggled with depression, suicidal thoughts
Jason Gallardo
September 10, 2020

Last season, Sacramento State gymnast Amber Koeth was one of the Hornets' most consistent gymnasts on the balance beam where she averaged 9.780 and also earned first-team all-MPSF honors on beam. Koeth...

Sac State soccer player Christina Lazar poses at Kaiser Hospital in Roseville. Lazar was diagnosed with a rare blood disease and had to heal from a torn ACL before she could return to playing for Sac States team in March. Photo courtesy of Christina Lazar.

Sac state soccer player overcomes rare blood disorder, torn ACL

Jason Gallardo
May 19, 2020

On March 8, Sacramento State soccer player Christina Lazar played her first game in over a year following her battle with a rare blood disorder and a torn ACL.  Lazar grew up in Rocklin and has been...

Sac State alumna Alyssa Nakken poses for a photo at Oracle Park. Nakken made history when she was named as the first female MLB coach.

Sac State alumna makes history as first female MLB coach

Alyssa Nakken was a 4-time all-Pacific Coast Softball Conference selection in college
Jason Gallardo
May 14, 2020

While working to produce the Spartan Race at Oracle Park as an intern for the San Francisco Giants, Sacramento State alumna Alyssa Nakken passed by the office of manager Gabe Kapler. Nakken stopped...

Sac State student-athletes Michael Birch, Sofie Babic and Ryan Walstad. After the cancellation of their seasons, all three senior athletes were left with unknowns about their future. Photos of Birch and Babic courtesy of Hornet Athletics.

Sac State athletes torn between returning and moving on following NCAA’s eligibility relief announcement

Returning seniors will need to apply, be accepted to a graduate program
Jason Gallardo
May 4, 2020

The Sacramento State Athletics Department announced in March that all spring sports would be canceled for the remainder of the academic year due to COVID-19, leaving many seniors deprived of competing...

Cody Demps poses for a photo on Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2019 at Roosevelt Park in Sacramento. The Stockton Kings guard had his season canceled due to COVID-19.

Sac State alumnus, Stockton Kings’ guard on season’s swift end

Cody Demps’ league suspended season March 12
Jason Gallardo
April 22, 2020

March 11 was the day that seems to have halted what the majority of sports fans know as normal life as the NBA announced the suspension of the season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with other professional...

Sac State defensive back Prince Washington poses for a photo in Hornet Stadium after the teams morning workout on Friday, March 6. Washington was put on scholarship after joining the team as a walk-on and took over as the starting defensive back for the last three games of the 2019 season.

‘I knew my time would come eventually if I kept working’: A football player’s 2,172-mile journey

Defensive back Prince Washington’s road from Fresno to Wyoming to Sac State
Jason Gallardo
March 31, 2020

After the last whistle blew to end the Sacramento State and University of California, Davis game, starting defensive back Prince Washington celebrated a Cinderella season that saw the Hornets win the Big...

The Sac State Athletics Department announced Wednesday that all sports would be canceled for the remainder of the academic year. Sac State seniors will now miss out on their final year of eligibility.

‘I was at a loss for words’: 47 Sac State senior athletes to miss their final season

All spring sports canceled due to coronavirus
Jason Gallardo
March 20, 2020

The Sacramento State Athletics Department canceled all sports Wednesday, leaving 47 senior student athletes unable to finish their last year of eligibility. In addition, four senior basketball players...

Mariah York poses next to the balance beam before a meet with Alaska Anchorage at the Nest on Sunday, Feb. 16. York has been battling injuries her whole collegiate career and will be out for her entire junior year following ankle surgery.

Sac State gymnast Mariah York looks to bounce back from a heavily injured past

Jason Gallardo
February 18, 2020

Mariah York poses next to the balance beam before a meet with Alaska Anchorage at the Nest on Sunday, Feb. 16. York has been battling injuries her whole collegiate career and will be out for her entire...

Sac State senior Nate Baba poses for a photo in Yosmite in 2015. Baba went viral on Twitter after posting a video of himself impersonating 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo.

Sac State student goes viral for Jimmy Garoppolo impersonation

Senior Nate Baba has over 2,700 retweets on his video
Jason Gallardo
January 31, 2020

When the San Francisco 49ers beat the Green Bay Packers in the NFC championship game to secure their spot in Super Bowl LIV, 49ers fans celebrated the team’s seventh Super Bowl appearance in franchise...

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