Senior track multi-event athlete Craig Saalfeld qualified for the World Games for the Deaf earlier this month.
In the world of international sports, there are the Olympic Games and competitions for disabled athletes, such as the Paralympics Games, World Games for the Deaf and the Special Olympics.
The World Games for the Deaf were founded in 1924 and have been around ever since.
Saalfeld qualified for the games in the Decathlon and the High Jump.
“I had to send in a proof of performance,” Saalfeld said. “They want three performances from your event. Otherwise you need to show them that you competed.”
Track has been a part of Saalfeld’s life for eight years.
“I have been doing track since my freshman year in high school and I just recently picked up the Decathlon last year,” Saalfeld said.
Aside from having won enough times to be in the ranks of the best in the nation, certain criterion has to be met in order to be eligible for the games.
“You have to have so much hearing loss and I happened to fall in that rank,” Saalfeld said. “You have to have 55 percent hearing loss and I am like 60 percent hearing loss in both ears.”
Saalfeld said he has had hearing problems for the majority of his life.
“I was born with it,” he said. “They first noticed it when I was in kindergarten. The teachers started to notice something so I went and got some tests done and I have been wearing (hearing aids) ever since.”
According to fellow teammate Douglas Marshall, Saalfeld’s hearing problem does not seem to get in his way of his dedication.
“Craig has a real strong work ethic,” Marshall said. “He stays focused and he still has fun in practice but he knows when to be focused and get his work done. He is a good teammate.”
Although Saalfeld is dealing with a recent injury, his teammates say it won’t hold him back.
“I know Craig and I have seen him get injured and come back quick,” Marshall said. “Craig is a fast healer so I think he will be ready.”
“It is pretty big for the program to have someone from Emporia State representing for the Olympics, let alone make that and having a disability” said graduate assistant Cameron Babb, who assists with jumping and multi-events.
According to Babb, Saalfeld is able to overcome obstacles no matter how big or small they might be.
“For him it is not a disability because he does not take it as one at all,” Babb said. “He lives every day like every one of us and actually I have not seen anyone work as hard as he does and sometimes it is too hard because he just does not know when to stop.”
Although qualifying for the World Games for the Deaf is already what many would consider a major accomplishment, Saalfeld has his sights set on the gold.
“Right now the coach told me that my best jump would place first in both events,” Saalfeld said. “So I am shooting for two gold medals.”
Saalfeld said he is taking one step at a time and is focusing on recuperating from his injury and finishing out the outdoor season.
“I am just continuing my track season and my training here and then over the summer I will do some training on my own and go to a couple camps in Texas with the rest of the team,” Saalfeld said.
Doug Irby/The Bulletin
Vehicle auction a big hit; Donated automobiles help raise money for local charities.(METROPOLITAN) go to website capital auto auction
The Washington Times (Washington, DC) November 28, 2004 Byline: Denise Barnes, THE WASHINGTON TIMES Hundreds of prospective car buyers gathered inside a 50,000-square-foot building in Northeast yesterday with high hopes of driving away in the car of their dreams while helping local charities during the holiday season.
About 300 people showed up bright and early to place their bids on about 280 vehicles at Capital Auto Auction on Brentwood Road during the six-hour event that featured a champagne-colored 1999 Mercedes-Benz S420 in tip-top condition.
“We’ve been selling donated cars for over 15 years, and in that time, we’ve received some really generous donations,” said Gordy Zaritsky, vice president and co-owner of Capital Auto & Truck Auction Inc. But “this donation of the Mercedes to Goodwill [Industries] is definitely the most generous that we have ever received. My understanding is that the donor just wanted to help out a charity.” Mr. Zaritsky, who owns the business with Mark Loesberg, said most cars are donated during the final two months of a year.
Capital Auto Auction serves as the auction house for such area charities as Melwood, Goodwill Industries, the Salvation Army, Volunteers of America, the National Kidney Foundation and the Red Cross. All proceeds from the sale of vehicles go directly to the charities, Mr. Zaritsky said.
“There are bargains to be had,” he said with a smile. “Every charity will benefit today.” The crowd, which included men, women and children, huddled close together as the Mercedes-Benz S420 stopped in front of the podium where auctioneer Lex Knight enticed bidders to ante up and spend their money for a charitable cause.
“Ladies and gentlemen, look what just came in,” he said above the oohs and aahs from the crowd. “It’s got 54,000 original miles. This is what [the donor] drives to the pool.” In fast-talking auctioneer lingo, Mr. Knight, 50, started the bidding at $15,000 and ended when John Knopf of Annapolis offered $26,000.
Mr. Knopf, 41, beamed as he walked away to take care of mandatory paperwork. Goodwill Industries will receive the money from the sale.
“I figure the money is going to a good cause,” Mr. Knopf said. “If I pay good money for it, it pays off and it’s for charity.” He was undecided yesterday about whether to keep the car or give it as a gift.
Rusty Hinton was crestfallen after losing out to Mr. Knopf. The Northeast resident was the first bidder on the Benz.
“I bid $15,000 because I really wanted a Mercedes, and I thought $15,000 would have bought it,” he said with a resigned tone. “When the auction was advertised in the paper, I knew it would bring out people from other areas. I’m here a lot, and I felt I had a good chance. I upped my bid to $17,000. Well, I guess it’s all about money.” The good news, Mr. Hinton said, was that the money will go to Goodwill Industries.
“The charity aspect is excellent,” he said. “If you want a car, this is the best place to get a charity car for $50 or $100, and the proceeds go to help others.” Malek Sider of Arlington walked away from the auction with a smile on his face for two reasons: He bought a new car, and the money will benefit Melwood, which helps people in the metropolitan area with developmental disabilities.
Mr. Sider, 28, drove home a red 1983 Mazda 626. He paid $1,525 for the car, with 82,000 miles on it.
“I feel good,” he said. “I come here every once in a while to see if there’s something that I can afford. This is my second car from Capital Auto Auction. It’s a good place. And it’s awesome to give to charity. It’s a good thing these guys are doing.” Mr. Knight, a professional auctioneer and independent contractor who lives in Spotsylvania, Va., said the most rewarding part of what he does every Saturday at the auction is knowing that the sales of cars help others. capitalautoauctionnow.com capital auto auction
“That’s one of the greatest things about this,” he said. “It’s for charity. One of the reasons Capital Auto Auction has grown is because it’s honest about giving the money back to the charities. This is really an investment in the community because the money goes right back into the community.” CAPTION(S):
Auctioneer Lex Knight gestured yesterday as he sought the highest bid during the auto auction. [Photo by Rod A. Lamkey/The Washington Times] This 1999 Mercedes-Benz S420, which was donated for sale with the proceeds going to Goodwill Industries, was the star of the weekly auto auction at Capital Auto Auction in Northeast yesterday. It sold for $26,000. [Photo by Rod A. Lamkey/The Washington Times] Auctioneer Lex Knight worked the crowd yesterday during the weekly auto auction at Capital Auto Auction in Northeast. All the money paid for donated vehicles goes directly to designated charities. [Photo by Rod A. Lamkey/The Washington Times]
