Concordia University senior Michael Saalfeld won two medals at the Taipei Deaflympics this past weekend in Taiwan. Saalfeld brought home a gold medal in the 800 meter run, and his 4 x 400 relay team finished second.
Saalfeld had the best time in the prelims of the 800 (1:55.74), and he qualified for the finals with a time of 1:58.00. He saved his best effort for last, as he ran a 1:52.89 in the finals to win the event for the United States.
His 4 x 400 relay team qualified for the finals with a time of 3:23.80. In the finals, Saalfeld and his team finished in second place with a time of 3:15.25, finishing behind Ukraine (3:13.91) and just ahead of Russia (3:15.90).
Michael's brother, Craig, also competed at the Deaflympics. Craig finished second in the Decathlon and also joined Michael on the 4 x 400 relay team.
Michael and Craig are the sons of Don and Linda Saalfeld and are graduates of David City Aquinas High School.
See also: "Saalfeld brothers compete at Deaflympics" by Todd Hendrichs in the Lincoln Journal Star