Despite taking a downsized squad to Charleston, Saluki track and field left the Friday Night Special with four more event titles under the teams’ belts.

The men finished third overall in the team competition, while the women notched a seventh place finish at Eastern Illinois University. The Salukis won a combined four titles, and three came from the meet’s field portion.

Freshman thrower Josh Freeman and sophomore thrower Bradley Sauer highlighted the meet’s field portion. Sauer took the men’s weight throw when he threw a personal best 21.17 meters to beat teammate Curtis Wideman, who also threw a personal-best 18.84 meters. Sauer’s throw now ranks him seventh in the nation.

Throws coach John Smith said Sauer has the experience to compete well and succeed in bigger meets.

“Brad has a legitimate chance at qualifying for nationals,” he said. “With the big meets, it’s more about being in similar situations and having the experience to succeed.”

Freshman Josh Freeman claimed his fifth shot put title of the 2013 season with a 18.48 meter final throw that propelled him to 21st in the nation for the sport.

Smith said Freeman has adapted well to college-level competition.

“Josh is an extraordinary competitor,” he said. “Every time he is in a meet, he expects to win. Having that mentality as a freshman is rare to see.”

The women throwers also continued their accomplished season as they placed athletes in the top five for both the shot put and weight throw for the sixth consecutive week.

Senior Kim Fortney led the way after she took second in both events and posted a personal-best 20.26-meter weight toss. Sophomore DeAnna Price followed in Fortney’s footsteps and took third in the events as she threw 19.27 meters in the weight toss and 14.23 meters in the shot put.

Despite the smaller meet, Smith said he is still pleased with his team’s weekend performance.

“Our team competes so well together, you don’t know where everyone is going to finish because it could change depending on what week it is,” he said. “This week was more about rest, but I’m happy with how many personal bests there were.”

Junior Sarah Rautio won her second-ever long jump competition with a 5.72-meter final jump. Rautio beat sophomore Lauren Cheadle, who placed second with a personal-best 5.67 meter jump.

Sophomore sprinter Desiree White took the 200 meter dash during the weekend, which was the Salukis’ only track win on the meet. White finished at 25.92 seconds, which was her first individual Saluki title.

Although many SIU athletes did not participate Friday, Coach Connie Price-Smith said the team still performed well and will be prepared for next weekend’s Missouri Valley Conference Championships.

The men look to defend their indoor championship while the women look to bounce back from last year’s fourth-place finish at the weekend’s championship tournament in Cedar Falls, Iowa.