Concordia junior Michael Saalfeld had the fastest preliminary time in the 800 meter run on Thursday at the 2008 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in St. Louis, Mo. The three-day event is being hosted by St. Louis Sports Commission, Lindenwood University, McKendree University and Missouri Baptist University.
Saalfeld, a David City, Neb., native, set the pace in the opening heat of the 800 meter run with a time of 1:52.77, besting the second qualifying time by almost two seconds.
Saalfeld is looking to earn his first national championship in the outdoor arena. Saalfeld was the 2007-08 indoor national champion in the 800.
Another Bulldog, sophomore Luka Thor, earned All-American honors in the 10,000 meter run. Thor finished sixth for the second year in a row with a finishing time of 30:52.84. Thor was the highest placing under-classmen as four of the five places in front of Thor were taken by seniors.
Senior Erin Eitzmann also scored points for the Bulldogs, taking seventh place in the pole vault (11-3.75).
In the team scoring race after one day complete the women were tied for 21st with 2 points, while the men were in 14th place with three points.
For more information and live results, go to http://www.naia.org/ and click on the track and field link.