2007 - Track and Field schedule/results

DECEMBER
Dec. 8	UNK Pre-Holiday Open	Kearney, Neb.
JANUARY
Jan. 12-13	Holiday Inn Invite	Lincoln, Neb.
Jan. 20	Haylett Invite	Crete Neb.
Jan. 27	Adidas Classic	Lincoln, Neb.
Jan. 27	Charlie Foster Open	Kearney, Neb.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 3	Fred Beile Classic	Crete Neb.
Feb. 10	Buena Vista Invite	Storm Lake, Iowa
Feb. 16	Prairie Wolf Invite	Lincoln, Neb.
Feb. 24	GPAC Championships	Lincoln, Neb.
MARCH
March 9-11	NAIA Championships	Johnson City, Tenn.

Both squads third at GPAC Indoor Championships

24 FEB 2007

The Concordia University, Nebraska track teams each placed third at the 2007 GPAC Indoor Track and Field Championships on Saturday at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln, Neb.

In the men's race, Doane scored 204.5 points en route to their second GPAC title and first championship since 2001. Nebraska Wesleyan was second (185), while Concordia was third (99.5).

The finals standings were similar on the women's side, as Doane's women totaled 243 points in winning their 17th straight league indoor championship. Nebraska Wesleyan's women took second (150), and Concordia rounded out the top three with 84 points.

In all, Concordia had 25 top five performances (13 men, 12 women). Luka Thor was one of three Bulldogs that garnered individual championships on the day. Thor had a pair of titles on the day, winning both the 5,000 and the 3,000. Concordia also had five runner-up performances.

Thor ran away from the rest of the field in the 5,000 finishing with a time of 15:18.47, 13 seconds better than the second place finisher. In the 3,000 Thor had a tighter race, edging Nebraska Wesleyan's Chris Dunker by just over two seconds, finishing with a time of 8:50.00.

Kyle Johnson took the league title in the mile in an NAIA qualifying time of 4:19.13. Johnson also took third in the 1,000 (2:31.45).

On the women's side freshman Charista Zehnder had the lone championship for the Bulldogs, winning the 60-meter dash. It was the first year the 60-meter was run at the GPAC Indoor Championships meaning Zehnder's time of 7.81 in the prelims established the meet record. She ran a 7.82 to win the finals. Both times were NAIA qualifying marks.

Zehnder had a busy day for the Bulldogs, taking third in the long jump (16-11.75), fourth in the 200 (26.32) as well as running a leg on the fifth place 4x400-meter relay team.

The women's 4x800 relay team (Melissa Ruegg, Jennifer Greidl, Hannah Ferry and MaryLou Andrews) finished as runners-up with an NAIA qualifying time of 9:41.90. The men's 4x400 (Jimmy Boeder, Michael Saalfeld, Jonathon Rempfer and Daniel Kober) was second in 3:21.63, also a NAIA mark.

Saalfeld, a sophomore, highlighted four other second place finishes for the Bulldogs with a school record time of 1:53.77. That time also bettered the previous meet record.

Concordia also had a runner-up finish in both the men's and women's pole vault. Erin Eitzmann led a 2-3-4 finish for the Bulldog women's vaulters clearing 11-07. Michelle Anderson and Amanda Fosler took third and fourth respectively, both with vaults of 11-01.

On the men's side Dusty Morehead had and NAIA qualifying vault of 15-05 for second place while Adam Driver was fifth (14-06). Jordan Hinrichs rounded out the runner-up performances for Concordia in the shot put (52-04.00).

In other field events Christina Lark took third in the weight throw (50-05.50) and qualified for the NAIA meet. Brock Simonsen took third on the men's side of the weight throw (53-07.50) while Chad Wilshusen tied for third in the high jump (6-04).

Concordia has a weekend off before traveling to Johnson City, Tenn., for the NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 8-10.

Track wraps up with three All-Americans

9-11 MAR 2007

Three Concordia University, Nebraska track athletes earned All-America status at the 2007 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships March 8-10 in Johnson City, Tenn.   As a team the Concordia men finished 19th, scoring nine points at the meet.

The highest place for any Bulldog at the meet was garnered by freshman Chris Tegtmeier. Tegtmeier was runner-up in the 3000 race walk with a time of 14:03.76. Two others, Nathan Dreher and Jon Ripke took eighth and ninth respectively in the race walk.

Head Coach Dr. Kregg Einspahr was quick to credit the success of the race walkers to their coach, Steve Hoger. Hoger holds the Concordia school record in the two-mile race walk, set in 1979.

"Volunteer Assistant Coach Steve Hoger has done a tremendous job with the young race walk group we have," said Einspahr. "Chris Tegtmeier had a great performance, especially for a freshman."

In the pole vault, senior Michelle Anderson took fifth place, clearing 11-11.75. This is the second consecutive year Anderson has earned All-American honors. Teammate Erin Eitzman cleared went 10-11.75, good enough for eighth place.

On the track it was senior Kyle Johnson who earned All-America honors, taking sixth place in the 1,000-meter run. Johnson's time of 2:28.15 in the finals was the third fastest time in Concordia history, trailing only Brandon Seifert and Andrew Walquist.

Sophomore Luka Thor just missed All-America status, taking seventh place in the 5,000 with a time of 15:07.59 as did junior Dusty Morehead in the pole vault. Morehead tied for seventh in the event, clearing 15-03.00.

The fact that a majority of the performances by the Bulldogs were just short of All-America marks didn't necessarily surprise Coach Einspahr.

"The team we took was very young with a large number of freshman and sophomores competing. We came home with quite a few 7th and 8th place finishes which is typical for a team so young," Einspahr said. "Overall we had a large number of tremendous efforts and personal bests. This experience will be very important for future national level competition."

Junior Katie Werner had a personal best mark in the shot put, taking seventh place with a toss of 43-10.75. That mark also puts her at No. 5 on the all-time Concordia charts.

For complete results from the 2007 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships visit the results section of the website.

Concordia will begin the outdoor season March 31 at the Hastings Invite.

Anderson sets new school record in pole vault

9 FEB 2007

Senior Michelle Anderson set and new school record in the pole vault as the Concordia University, Nebraska track team competed at the NAIA Challenge hosted by Buena Vista University Feb. 9 in Storm Lake, Iowa.

The non-team scoring meet also featured Dana, Dakota Wesleyan, Doane, Dordt, Hastings, Morningside, Mount Marty and Northwestern.

Concordia had 26 top three finishes (15 women, 11 men), including 11 first place efforts and six runner-up performances.

Anderson cleared 12-06.00 to win the women’s pole vault and broke the school record that was previous held by Steph Beberniss. Beberniss’ mark of 12-01.05 came at the NAIA National Championship in 2003. Anderson’s vault is one of the top three in the NAIA this year.

Concordia dominated the pole vault, taking the top three places. Erin Eitzmann took second and Amanda Fosler third.

Jacque Wiseman led a 1-2 Bulldog finish in the mile with a time of 5:33.10. Renee Pobanz was second (5:52.79).

Concordia also swept the top two spots in the 600 as Katie Swanson took gold (1:40.56) and Melissa Ruegg was second (1:41.80).

Other champions for the women included freshman Charista Zehnder in the 55-meter dash (7.49) and Jill Pfeifer in the long jump (17-0.75). Zehnder also took third in the long jump.

On the men’s side Jordan Hinrichs put his name on top of the GPAC performance list with a toss of 52-10. That should place him in the top 10 of the NAIA as well. Hinrichs was one of three Bulldogs in the top four in the shot. Brock Simonsen and Matt Baller were third and fourth respectively.

Also, coming in first were Kyle Johnson in the mile (4:24.46), Michael Saalfeld in the 800 (1:57.08), Luka Thor in the 1,000 (2:39.24), Craig Dannehl in the 5,000 (15:42.31) and Dusty Morehead in the pole vault (15-00.00).

The Bulldogs finish the regular season next Friday night in Lincoln at the Prairie Wolf Invite.

Bulldogs set to compete at NAIA Indoor Championships

The Concordia University, Nebraska indoor track and field teams will be well represented at the upcoming NAIA Indoor Track and Field Championships in Johnson City, Tenn., on March 8-10.

In all, 30 different Bulldogs will be competing at the NAIA meet in either an individual event or as part of a relay team. Seven athletes will be competing in multiple events at the meet. Freshman Charista Zehnder will be the busiest off all Concordia athletes as she is set to participate in four events; the 60-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, long jump and the 4x400 meter relay.

A complete list of qualifiers and their events is listed below:

Charista Zehnder - 60m, 200m, Long Jump, 4 x 400m relay
Katie Swanson - 600m, 4 x 400m relay
Emily Wolters - 600m, 60m Hurdles, 4 x 400m relay
MaryLou Andrews - 600m, 4 x 400m relay, 4 x 800m relay
Melissa Ruegg - 4 x800m relay
Hannah Ferry - 4 x 800 relay
Jennifer Griedl - 4 x 800m relay
Jacque Wiseman - 4 x 800m relay
Michelle Anderson - Pole Vault
Erin Eitzmann - Pole Vault
Amanda Fosler - Pole Vault
Katie Werner - Shot Put
Christina Lark - Weight Throw
Jill Pfeifer 4 x 400m relay, Long Jump
Matt Baller - Shot Put
Jimmy Boeder - 4 x 400m relay
Dan Kober - 4 x 400m relay
Jonathan Rempfer - 4 x 400m relay
Jordan Tucker - 4 x 400m relay
Michael Saalfeld - 800m
Kyle Johnson - 1000m
Luka Thor - 5000m
Jordan Hinrichs - Shot Put, Weight Throw
Brock Simonsen - Shot Put, Weight Throw
Dusty Morehead - Pole Vault
Chris Dehning - 3k racewalk
Jon Ripke - 3k racewalk
Chris Tegtmeier - 3k racewalk
Nathan Dreher - 3k racewalk
Tom Stollee -3k racewalk

Morehead GPAC Field Event Athlete of the Week

The Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) announced that Dusty Morehead was named the Hauff Mid-America Sports/GPAC Field Events Athlete-of-the-Week.

Morehead, a junior from Fairbury, Neb., cleared 15-09 to win the pole vault at the Doane Relays. The mark is the best in the GPAC and NAIA this season. He has won the pole vault in three straight meets including the Concordia Invite, the Wayne State Wildcat Classic and the Doane Relays.

The Bulldog track squad will compete at the Nebraska Open on Sunday afternoon at Ed Weir Stadium in Lincoln, Neb.

Throwers open season at Midland

The Concordia University, Nebraska track and field team official started the outdoor season on Wednesday, but only partially, as the throwers competed at the Midland Throws Meet in Fremont, Neb.

Bulldog runners will have to wait until this weekend to take to the track as the Bulldogs host the the Concordia Invitational on April 13-14. The meet kicks off on Friday night with the racewalk and 10,000-meter run.

At the Midland Throws Meet three individuals, Brock Simonsen (discus), Jordan Hinrichs (shot put) and Christina Lark (hammer), all recorded NAIA qualifying marks in blustery conditions. Temperatures around 40 degrees and winds gusting to as high as 20 miles per hour made for less than ideal conditions.

Hinrichs took the title in the men's shot put with a toss of 51-09.25. Matt Baller took fifth in the event, stretching the tape 47-06.50. Simonsen won the discus with a mark of 160-11.00 coming on his first attempt.

Lark was second in the hammer throw with a personal best throw of 160-01.00. Tasha Osten took sixth in the same event with a toss of 132-09.00. Lark also added a fourth place finish in the discus (126-06.00).

In the women's shot put Katie Werner took runner-up honors (41-03.50). Carly Stokebrand was also in the top 10 in the shot, taking tenth, stretching the tape 33-01.25.

The only other action of the week for the Concordia track squads came as the race walk group along with Jimmy Boeder in the hurdles competed at the CMU Easter Open on April 5.

Boeder took first in both the 110 and 400-meter hurdles with a time of 15.77 and 57.97 his respective events. Emily Hansen turned in a time of 19:49.13 in the 3,000-meter race walk. In the men's 5,000-meter race walk Chris Tegtmeier took second, Nathan Dreher fourth, Jon Ripke fifth, Thomas Stolee sixth and Chris Dehning ninth. Tegtmeier turned in a time of 23:04.56 to lead the Bulldogs. His times, along with all other Concordia times were NAIA qualifying marks.

Bulldogs have 26 in top four at home meet

The Concordia University, Nebraska track team placed first in five different events and had 26 top four finishes on Saturday during their home meet, the Concordia Invitational. No team scores were kept at the meet.

The men had four championship performances while Emily Hansen had the lone first place finish for the women, taking the title in the 3,000-meter race walk with a time of 17;47.50.
Sophomore Luka Thor won the 10,000 with a NAIA automatic qualifying time of 31:46.73. Thor was one of eight Bulldogs do register a NAIA automatic qualifying mark on the day.

Five of the NAIA marks for Concordia came in the 5,000-meter race walk. Chris Tegtmeier, a freshman from Jansen, Neb., won the event in a new stadium record time of 22:02.30. The previous record was held by teammate Jon Ripke. Ripke was a part of the Bulldog sweep in the race walk, taking third. Nathan Dreher was second while Thomas Stollee and Chris Dehning took fourth and fifth respectively.

In the field events Dusty Morehead took the top spot in the pole vault, clearning 14-09. Jordan Hinrichs was second in the shot put with another NAIA automatic mark of 52-00.50.

Other event winners on the men's side included Josh Grotefendt in the 3,000-meter steeplechase (9:55.04). Zach Baedke was second in the event with a time of 10:26.20.

On the women's side Christina Lark had the only NAIA qualifying mark of the day, tossing the hammer 158-02. Lark was also fourth in the discus (130-11).

Katie Werner took second place and was just two inches shy of an NAIA automatic mark in the shot put with a toss of 42-04.00. Michelle Anderson added a second place finish in the pole vault (11-01.00) while Amanda Fosler was fourth.

On the track Charista Zehnder had the fastest time in the 100-prelims (12.43) but was sidelined in the finals due to a leg injury suffered in the 4x100-realy. Katie Swanson took third in the 100 (12.61) while Jill Pfeifer was fourth (12.73). Pfeifer added a second place finish in the long jump (17-09.00).

For the men, Michael Saalfeld was third in the 800 (1:56.74), finishing behind former teammate Nick Suing who was competing unattached. Jimmy Boeder took third in the 400-hurdles (56.43), while the 4x400 relay team took forth place.

Concordia is in action at the Doane Relays on Saturday, April 21 and then a small group of Bulldogs goes to Iowa for the Drake Relays on the following weekend.

24 in top four at Doane Relays

The Concordia University, Nebraska track teams had 24 top four finishes (11 men, 12 women) at the Doane Relays Friday night and Saturday in Crete, Neb.

The non-team scoring meet included the host Tigers, UNK, Midland Lutheran, Hastings, Colorado College and UNO.

Leading the Bulldogs were a variety of athletes, including senior Luka Thor who had a championship effort in the 1,500-meter run (4:04.10) along with Dusty Morehead placing first in the pole vault, thanks to GPAC and NAIA leading mark or 15-09.00.

Another pair of Bulldogs, Christina Lark and Jimmy Boeder, had first-place efforts. Lark won the hammer throw with a toss of 152-10. Earlier in the week at the Wayne State Wildcat Classic Lark tied the Concordia school record with a toss of 163-09, a top five mark in the nation.

Boeder took the title in the 400-meter hurdles, crossing the tape with a time of 55.54.
The final championship effort of the day came from the women's 4x100 relay team who edged Doane by .06 seconds. Their title time was 50.38.

Staying on the women's side, the Bulldogs had five individual runner-up performances.

Jill Pfeifer led a 2-3 finish in the 100 for the Bulldogs with a time of 12.64. Katie Swanson was third (12.77). In addition, Swanson took silver in the 200 (26.64).

Emily Wolters crossed the tape in 16.00, good enough for second place in the 100-hurldes. Wolters was also runner-up in the 400-hurdles covering the distance in 1:07.68.

In the field events Katie Werner had a NAIA automatic qualifying mark in the shot put, stretching the tape 44-03.00, for second place.

Finishing in second place for the Bulldog men was Jon Grotenfendt (3,000-Steeplchase /10:14.00).

A pair of relay teams, the men's and women's 1600 sprint medley squads (women- 4:46.82, men-4:00.36), each finished second.

Concordia will send some athletes to the Drake Relays next weekend in Des Moines, Iowa.
In addition, freshman Chris Tegtmeier will compete in the race walk at the Penn Relays.

The Penn Relays are in their 113th year and are considered to be one of the largest meets in America. This year's event will feature over 22,000 entries and an anticipated attendance of over 110.000 during the three-day event.

Tegtmeier takes second at Penn Relays

Freshman race walker Chris Tegtmeier of the Bulldogs competed at the 113th Penn Relays on April 28. The Penn Relays are considered to be one of the largest meets in America. This year's event featured over 22,000 entries and had an attendance of over 110.000 during the three-day event.

According to Concordia race walk coach Steve Hoger, Tegtmeier took part in the 10k race walk which featured 11 junior, open and masters racewalkers with impressive credentials.

Tegtmeier walked a well paced race on his way to a time of 46:25.90 and second place overall finish. His time was just under seven and a half minutes per mile and was only a few seconds shy of the Concordia school record. The record is held by current coach Steve Hoger.

Matt Boyles, former winner of several NAIA titles, easily won his third Penn Relays walk championship. Tegtmeier found himself in a four way battle for second place in the early laps of the race. As others tired, Tegtmeier held a steady pace and only one walker could stay near. A quicker pace on the last few laps gave him the second-place finish.

Tegtmeier defeated two highly ranked athletes in the Under 23 age group.He is hopeful that this dominant performance could earn him a spot on the USA U-23 team for a 10k international competition in New York in August.

Just a freshman, Tegtmeier has had phenomenal progress in the five months since he started racewalking. His first indoor 3k race time was 16:03.16. Six weeks later he placed second at the NAIA Indoor Nationals 3k race in 14:03.76. Five weeks after the indoor meet he broke the school record for the 5k walk with a time of 22:02.30 in his second attempt at that distance.

Just two weeks later he almost broke the 10k school record in his first race at that distance. During that 10k Tegtmeier walked three 3k's in a row faster than his national indoor pace and then had a faster split in his final 1k.

Bulldogs have strong performances at GPAC meet

The Concordia University, Nebraska track teams finished in third (women) and fourth (men) place at the 2007 GPAC Outdoor Championships in Seward. Seven GPAC records and two stadium records were set during the event.

The meet was originally scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 5, but was rescheduled to Friday, May11, due severe weather.

The Doane women scored 259 points and en route to their seventh straight outdoor conference title in the GPAC. Nebraska Wesleyan was second with 137 points, while Concordia was third with 97.

On the men's side Nebraska Wesleyan edged Doane, 213.5 to 212 to claim the title. Hastings finished third with 130.5 and the Bulldogs were fourth with 80 points.

The Bulldogs had 29 top eight performances (17 women, 12 men) including six event champions and three silver medal performances. Seven different Bulldogs and one relay team also notched top five marks on the Concordia all-time charts.

Individually, sophomore Brock Simonsen won the discus with a school record toss of 169-06. The previous record (169-03), set in 2002, was held by Lane McDuffee.

The other school record set on Friday came in the women's 4x100-meter relay as Katie Swanson, Lauren Sankey, Jill Pfeifer and Emily Wolters teamed up to win the event with a time of 48.32. The previous record was set in 1989 by Amy Schoof, Carol Franklin, Angie Aufdemberge and Carol Bailey.

Sophomore Luka Thor took double gold on Friday, winning the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs. Thor literally "ran away" from the competition during the final two laps of each event, winning by wide margins.

Also winning their events were senior Michelle Anderson in the pole vault (12-03) and sophomore Katie Swanson in the 200 (25.90). Both marks were the second best recorded in school history in the respective events. Swanson added a third place finish in the 100 (12.60).

Junior Katie Werner added gold in the shot put (45-07) with the third best throw in Concordia history.

The Bulldogs also had success in the 400-hurdles as Jimmy Boeder took third (54.28). In the women's race Wolters finished fifth. Boeder's time was the second best on the Bulldog charts while Wolters was third.

Senior Christina Lark in the hammer throw (162-04), led a host of Bulldogs finishing second.

Other runners up were sophomores Michael Saalfeld in the 800 hurdles (1:51.67) and Jill Pfeifer in the long jump (17-06). Sallfeld's time was the third fastest at Concordia in the 800.

The next action for the Bulldogs will be at the NAIA Outdoor Track and Field Championships held in Fresno, Calif., on May 24-26. Nine different Bulldogs have automatically qualified in eight different events, along with the women's 4x100-meter relay team.

Strong contingent headed to NAIA championships

The Concordia University, Nebraska track and field team will send 21 athletes (13 men, 8 women) to the 2007 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field National Championships
May 24-26, 2007 in Fresno, Calif. This year's event is hosted by Fresno Pacific University.

According to Head Coach Dr. Kregg Einspahr the Bulldogs are looking forward to the NAIA meet.

"With the short season we have had due to weather problems this spring, we are really fresh and ready to compete," said Einspahr. "We have a number of individuals that have good possibilities of placing very high and competing for All-American honors including Michelle Anderson (pole vault), Christina Lark (hammer throw), Brock Simonsen (discus) and Chris Tegtmeier (race walk)."

Six of the 21 Bulldogs competing have marks that are in the top six in the nation coming into the meet. A top eight finish at the meet is good for All-American honors.

Freshman and school record holder Chris Tegtmeier ranks second in the 5,000 race walk, just over 16 second off the national leader. Earlier in the season Tegtmeier was runner-up at the Penn Relays.

In the women's pole vault, senior Michelle Anderson is going All-America status for the second straight outdoor meet. She is a two-time indoor All-American. She holds the fourth best mark coming into the meet (12-03).

Staying in the field events, both Katie Werner and Christina Lark have top six marks. Lark, who will compete in the discus and the hammer throw, ranks fifth in the hammer. Werner has the sixth best mark in the shot put.

Jordan Hinrichs and Brock Simonsen round out the Bulldogs with top six marks. Simonsen has the fourth best mark in the discus thanks to a school-record setting performance at the GPAC Championships (169-06). Hinrichs ranks sixth in the shot put (55-05).

A complete list of Concordia athletes competing is listed below:

Michelle Anderson - Pole Vault
Erin Eitzmann - Pole Vault
Christina Lark - Hammer, Discus
Jill Pfeifer - Long Jump, 4x100 relay
Lauren Sankey - 4x100 relay
Katie Swanson - 4x100 relay
Katie Werner - Shot Put
Emily Wolters - 4x100 relay, 400 Hurdles
Matt Baller - Shot Put
Chris Dehning - 5,000 Race Walk
Nathan Dreher - 5,000 Race Walk
Jon Ripke - 5,000 Race Walk
Chris Tegtmeier- 5,000 Race Walk
Tom Stolee - 5,000 Race Walk
Jordan Hinrichs - Shot Put
Chris Mizel - Marathon
Dusty Morehead - Pole Vault
Michael Saalfeld - 800
Brock Simonsen - Discus, Shot Put
Luka Thor - 10,000
Chad Wilshusen - High Jump

Live results of the meet will be availalbe via the official NAIA Web site (www.naia.org) on the track and field page.

Day 1 NAIA Recap: Anderson takes runner-up in pole vault

Concordia University, Nebraska senior Michelle Anderson earned All-American honors for the second consecutive year, finishing as the runner-up in the pole vault on Thursday at the 2007 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Fresno, Calif. She was one of two Bulldogs to earn All-American status on the day.

The three-day event is being hosted by Fresno Pacific University.

Anderson, a Parker, Colo., native, cleared 12-03.50 to take silver in the pole vault and earn All-America status. Last year at the NAIA Outdoor Championships she took third place.

This is the fourth time Anderson (right) has garnered All-American honors, taking fourth and fifth at the NAIA Indoor meet in 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Another Bulldog, junior Erin Eitzmann, finished seventh in the vault (11-09.75) just missing All-America honors. The winning vault at national championship was by Kelsey Aide of Dickinson, who cleared 12-09.50.

Senior Christina Lark also scored points for the Bulldogs, taking eighth place in the hammer throw (164-10)

On the track Luka Thor, a freshman eligibility wise in outdoor track, took sixth place in the 10,000-run with a time of 31:55.27 to earn All-American honors. The winning time in the event was 30:47.25 by Aron Rono of Azusa Pacific.

Sophomore Michael Saalfeld of David City, Neb., won his heat in the 800-meter preliminaries (1:52.13) to advance to the semifinals.

In the team scoring race after one day complete the women were tied for second with 11 points, while the men were in 15th place with three points

Seven earn All-America honors at NAIA Meet, men 15th as a team

The Concordia University, Nebraska track and field squads wrapped up their season at the 2007 NAIA Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Fresno, Calif. In all, the Bulldogs finished with seven All-America performances, a top-six finish.

As a team the Concordia men finished with 25 points, good enough for 15th place. The Bulldogs were bolstered by a strong group in the race walk. On the women's side the Bulldogs finished in 24th place with 14 points.

"Overall, we had a tremendous meet and were very pleased with the way our teams performed at the NAIA meet," said Head Coach Dr. Kregg Einspahr. "It was a strong showing for us as both our men and women had solid performances in the team standings."

The three-day meet ran from Thursday through Saturday and was hosted by Fresno Pacific University.

Senior Michelle Anderson got the Bulldogs off to a good start on Thursday taking silver in the pole vault, clearing 12-03.50, while Luka Thor earned All-America honors in the 10,000 (6th - 31:55.27).

Walking tall

Three Bulldogs earned All-American Honors in the 5,000-race walk, led by freshman Chris Tegtmeier who took third place (23:01.49). Tegtmeier was also an All-American at the NAIA indoor meet.

"We had outstanding performances from our race walkers", said Einspahr.

Senior Jon Ripke finished fourth (25:45.19) while sophomore Nathan Dreher took sixth place (26:14.50) in the race walk.

Sophomore Michael Saalfeld also turned in an All-America performance in the 800, taking fifth place (1:52.06) in a highly competitive field. His best time at the national meet, 1:5.83, came in the semifinals.

"Michael (Saalfeld) did a tremendous job of making it through the prelims and semifinal heats to advance to the final in the 800," Einpahr added. "This was one of the best 800 fields assembled at the NAIA meet in many years. His finish is particularly remarkable since this is his first year running the open 800."

The other All-America performance for the Bulldogs came in the women's shot put as junior Katie Werner took sixth place. Her toss of 45-09.75 not only earned her NAIA honors, but it put her in a tie with Kathy Gottberg for No. 2 on the Concordia all-time charts.

"Katie (Werner) had a number of throws at or beyond her all time best and is on the verge of even bigger things next year," said Einspahr.

A number of Concordia athletes just missed earning All-America honors but did earn points for the Bulldogs including Dusty Morehead in the pole vault (7th - 15-05), Matt Baller in the shot put (8th - 53-05.75) and Christina Lark in the hammer throw (8th - 164-10).

Tegtmeier earns GPAC honor

Concordia's Chris Tegtmeier has been named the GPAC track athlete-of-the-week.  Tegtmeier, a sophomore from Fairbury, Nebraska, posted a time of 12:52 in the 3000 meter race walk at the Missouri Valley Race Walk.  The time is the best in the NAIA this season and he placed second only to an unattached former two time indoor champion (Patrick Stroupe).  The event featured six NAIA All-Americans (three current and three former).  His time broke the Concordia school record in the event.