Klassen and Saliga Named USTFCCCA All-Region

NEW ORLEANS, La. – The Michigan Tech men's outdoor track and field team had two athletes named as 2017 NCAA Division II U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association All-Region honorees, announced by the national office on Tuesday. Zachary Klassen and Jason Saliga represent the Huskies on this year's All-Midwest Region Team.

Klassen, a multi event athlete from Boyceville, Wisconsin, made the all-region team in the Decathlon thanks to outstanding results throughout the spring season. Klassen recorded a career best score of 6427 in the Decathlon at the "Border Battle" hosted by Hillsdale April 14^th and 15^th. The mark vaulted him into first place at the meet and made him a provisional qualifier for the NCAA Division II National Championships. Klassen just missed Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference All-Conference accolades, finishing fourth in the Decathlon at the GLIAC Championships on May 5^th. Klassen is ranked 3^rd in the region in the Decathlon and 30^th nationally.

Saliga, a senior distance runner from Leanard, Michigan, earned the honors after strong performances in the 3000 Meter Steeplechase. Saliga recorded a career best time of 9:05.83 in the 3000 Steeplechase at the Augustana College Viking Olympics on his way to a first place finish. The time also made him a provisional qualifier for the NCAA Division II Championships. Saliga is ranked 5^th regionally in the Steeplechase and 25^th nationally.

Other Huskies who have impressive region rankings this season include:

• Matthew Pahl in the 10k (6th)
• Jake Jurkowski in Pole Vault (6th)
• Keith Lemley in Pole Vault (7th)
• Kyle Petermann in Discus (8th)
• Ashley Veale in the 400m Hurdles (10th)