Freeman finished 11th in the NCAA West Regional Division I preliminaries at Kansas University with a heave of 18.61m (61-0.75). This is the third time he has qualified for the national championship.
Also representing SIU are seniors Deanna Price (thrower), Bradley Sauers (thrower), Chrissa Harris (400-meter dash) and Kyle Landon (high jump).
Ten other Salukis competed in the regional competition but did not advance:
- Warren Hazel (400m, 19th place, 47.07)
- Jemar Jones (110m hurdles, 32nd place, 14.33)
- Jonathan Walsh (pole vault, 30th place, 16'-10")
- Nathan Schuck (pole vault, NH)
- Franklin Adams, (long jump, 39th place, 22'-11.