Vincent Rinaldi ran all day last Saturday at the Wildcat Invitational. In fact, he ran right into the program’s all-time top 10, and then more.
The freshman from Carpinteria stopped the clock in 10.64 in the preliminary rounds of the 100 meters, tying Danny Armolea (1987), Ben Reams (1937) and Bob Wallace (1968) for the seventh fastest time in program history.
It’s also the 12th-fastest time in the nation and fastest in the California Collegiate Athletic Association this year.
Rinaldi, who went on to win the final with a time of 10.89 and then help the 4×100- and 4×400-meter relay teams set new season-best times, is Wildcat of the Week.
“Vincent has adapted very well to college training,” Carpinteria track coach Van Latham said. “He has done a good job with his strength-training program over the last year and a half. This has been a key to him staying healthy during his senior year at Carpinteria and his freshman year at Chico.”
He teamed with Bryan Payne, Kevin Telford, and Ian Hackett to post a winning time of 3:19.72 in the 4×400-meter relay, which is Chico State’s fastest this season, ranks third in the CCAA, and is 14th in the nation this year. In the 4×100-meter relay, Rinaldi teamed with Colton Cummings, Calvin Igbanoi, and Ethan Du to post a winning and team-season-best time of 42.34, which is 21st in the nation and third in the CCAA this year.
Rinaldi ran the 200 meters at the season-opening Kim Duyst Invitational and posted a team-best time of 21.99, which ranks fifth in the CCAA this season.
Rinaldi and the Wildcats have this weekend off before bussing to The Bay for the Mike Fanelli Track Classic and Chabot Invitational March 31 through April 1.
Noozhawk correspondent Dennis Moran contributed to this report.