After three track meets in Canada against top-flight competition, Concordia senior-to-be Michael Saalfeld is coming home a wiser runner. He's also faster. The 1:49.11 he ran in his final effort in Canada was good enough for a personal best and a new school record.
Saalfeld, the reigning 2008 NAIA indoor and outdoor national champion in the 800, took second in his first Canadian meet on June 19. Two days later he took first in the Victoria International's "National" division, the second tier 800-meter race of a highly competitive meet. Based on that victory he was invited to race against world class competition in the third meet of his Canadian swing, the Harry Jerome International Classic.
The Harry Jerome meet featured Canada's Gary Reed, the silver medalist at the World Championships last summer.
"This is, perhaps, the premier international track meet in Canada each year and features outstanding fields, including many Olympians," said Dr. Kregg Einspahr, head track coach for Concordia.
Saalfeld took sixth place at the Harry Jerome, breaking his own Concordia school record set earlier this year of 1:49.60. Canadian champ Garry Reed, true to his billing, won the race and will represent Canada at the 2008 Olympics later this summer in China.
"The field was outstanding and the pace was fast," said Einspahr. "This was an outstanding learning experience for Michael. He has had three tremendously high quality races in five days. These races have given him a whole new perspective on high level international competition."
See also: Victoria International Track Classic / Vancouver Sun Harry Jerome International Track Classic