Panther Pride: 5 Unforgettable Athletes From Chico High School

Sports run deep in Chico, and Chico High School has long been at the heart of it. It’s no surprise some standout talent once wore the Panther uniform. Today we're celebrating five unforgettable athletes from Chico High School who made a name for themselves well beyond the hometown field.

Nahshon Garrett – NCAA Champion Wrestler

A Chico High School alum, Nahshon Garrett is one of the most accomplished wrestlers to emerge from the area. A two-time California state champion in high school, Garrett went on to a dominant collegiate career at Cornell University, where he became the 2016 NCAA Division I national champion, a four-time All-American and a four-time EIWA Conference champion. Competing internationally in freestyle wrestling, Garrett represented the U.S. at elite events and earned multiple podium finishes at national and international tournaments. (Sources: CornellBigRed.com, TheMat.com)

Emily Azevedo – Olympic Bobsledder

Chico High School graduate Emily Azevedo transitioned from track standout to Olympic bobsledder, becoming a key member of the U.S. national team. After setting school records in the hurdles at UC Davis, she debuted internationally during the 2006-07 season and went on to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where she finished fifth in the two-woman event. Azevedo also earned multiple World Cup medals and helped secure a silver medal in France in 2012. (Source: TeamUSA.com)

Brett Ratliff – NFL Quarterback

Born and raised in Chico, Brett Ratliff starred as a quarterback at Chico Senior High School before continuing his career at Butte College and the University of Utah. Known for his poise under pressure, Ratliff led Utah to bowl victories over BYU and Georgia Tech and later earned opportunities in the NFL as an undrafted free agent. He spent time with several franchises, including the New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and New England Patriots. (Sources: NFL.com, Pro-Football-Reference.com)

Kurt Kitayama – PGA Tour Champion

A former Chico High School athlete, Kurt Kitayama has risen to prominence in professional golf with a victory at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational. After playing collegiately at UNLV, Kitayama turned professional in 2015 and quickly made history on the European Tour by becoming the fastest player to win two events. Now competing on the PGA Tour, Kitayama’s ascent reflects a remarkable journey from Chico to the world’s premier golf stages. (Source: PGATour.com)

Nelson Briles – World Series Champion Pitcher

Chico High School alum Nelson Briles enjoyed a distinguished Major League Baseball career highlighted by World Series championships with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1967 and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1971. Known for his pinpoint control and devastating slider, Briles was a key contributor during the Cardinals’ title run and later pitched a World Series two-hitter for Pittsburgh. His success at baseball’s highest level made him one of Chico’s most celebrated professional athletes. (Source: SABR.org)

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