(http://www.vtgrandpa.com/photos/albums/forum_photos_2011/robbie_renaldo_110618.jpg)
Robbie Rinaldo
BFA-Fairfax baseball
Senior, 18
Interests and favorites:
* Food: Pesto
* TV Show: SportsCenter
* Movie: Green Street Hooligans
* Music: Tom Petty
* Hangout: Fishing
* Website: Bassproshop.com
* Book: The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon
* Class: History
* The performance: After tossing four-plus innings of relief with eight strikeouts in the semifinal win, Rinaldo twirled a masterful 11-strikeout performance to lead BFA-Fairfax to the Division III crown over previously undefeated Northfield.
* Rinaldo on the performance: “My shoulder and elbow were both hurting, but after getting a chance to warm up, I loosened up and was ready to go. It was great, and my catcher and I were in the zone.”
* Coach Mike Brown about Rinaldo: “He desperately wanted to pitch. Instead of shrinking from the challenge, he rose to the challenge in a way that is inspiring.”
* Notable: Undecided on college plans, but hopes to continue to play baseball. Transferred from Pittsburgh at the start of his junior year, coming from a school of 4,000 students.
Northern and Central Vermont athletic directors and coaches are encouraged to make nominations by sending an e-mail to aabrami@burlingtonfreepress.com or calling 660-1848.