Concordia University, Nebraska junior Michael Saalfeld had the fastest semifinal time in the 800 meter run on Friday at the 2008 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National 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 semifinal heat of the 800 meter run with a time of 1:51.79, almost a full second faster than his preliminary time.
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 Tom Stolee, earned All-American honors in the 5,000 meter race walk. Stolee finished sixth with a finishing time of 24:35.58. Favorite in the race walk, sophomore Chris Tegtmeier, was disqualified from the event for having a bent knee.
Sophomore Emily Hansen also earned All-American status in the 3,000 meter race walk. Hansen finished seventh place in the race with a time of 16:04.25.
Sophomore Luka Thor finished third in the first heat of the men's 5,000 meter run semifinals and qualified for the finals with a time of 15:00.77. Junior Emily Wolters finished sixth in the semi-finals of the women's 400 meter hurdles with a time of 1:03.20 and failed to qualify for the finals.