Senior shot putter Josh Freeman earned his third All-American honor with a seventh place finish at the NCAA Indoor Championships on Saturday.

Freeman’s threw for 19.38 meters, earning his second-straight indoor All-American award. He was also an All-American during last outdoor season.

The Fox River Grove native suffered a grade two ankle sprain on Feb. 28 at the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships. He would later win his sixth MVC title.

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Freeman previously said he wanted to throw 20 meters at the meet, but he said he’s happy but not satisfied in a Facebook post after he competed.

Texas senior Ryan Crouser won the event and set a new Birmingham CrossPlex facility record with a throw of 21.28 meters. He entered the competition with the national lead at 21.73 meters.

Freeman became the third Saluki All-American this season joining senior weight thrower Bradley Sauer and junior high jumper Kyle Landon. This is the first time SIU has had three men finish as All-American since 1984.

SIU’s men finished at No. 23 for the meet, the highest SIU indoor finish since 1992.

The outdoor season begins for the Salukis on Thursday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. at the Alabama Relays.

Brent Meske can be reached at [email protected] or at 536-3333