SIU's Kenya Culmer clears the bar at 5' 8" to win the women's high jump during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
SIU's Julia Mangler rounds the first turn of the women's 1500m during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
SIU's Ashley Gaston spins in the circle as she competes in the shot put during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
SIU's J.C. Lambert competes in the weight throw during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
SIU's Lucas Cherry launches over the water hazard during the men's 3000m steeplechase in the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Racers splash through the water during the women's 3000m steeplechase in the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
A shot crashes into the muddy field during the weighted throw competition of the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
SIU's Oscar Medina pushes down the final stretch of the men's 1500m race during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
SIU track athletes stretch and warm up during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Racers splash through the water during the women's 3000m steeplechase in the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
SIU's Kenya Culmer clears the bar at 5' 8" to win the women's high jump during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
SIU's Julia Mangler rounds the first turn of the women's 1500m during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
SIU's Ashley Gaston spins in the circle as she competes in the shot put during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
SIU's J.C. Lambert competes in the weight throw during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
SIU's Lucas Cherry launches over the water hazard during the men's 3000m steeplechase in the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
Racers splash through the water during the women's 3000m steeplechase in the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
A shot crashes into the muddy field during the weighted throw competition of the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
SIU's Oscar Medina pushes down the final stretch of the men's 1500m race during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
SIU track athletes stretch and warm up during the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
Aaron Eisenhauer
Racers splash through the water during the women's 3000m steeplechase in the Bill Cornell Spring Classic Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Carbondale. (Aaron Eisenhauer / The Southern)
CARBONDALE — The SIU women held off Indiana State for first place, and Illinois edged the SIU men in a close battle as the track and field Salukis ended the two-day Bill Cornell Spring Classic on a soggy day Saturday at the Lew Hartzog Track and Field Complex.
The SIU women won their side of the meet with 178 team points, beating out the Sycamores by 10.5. It was a neck-and-neck battle between the programs throughout the day, as Indiana State held a 10-point lead (77.5-67) after six events, but SIU whittled down to 2.5 (123.5-121) after 12.
