Calvin Berstler Takes Third at California Invitational

April 13, 2017

AZUSA, Calif. -- Accounting for a career-high total of 6676 points, Air Force junior Calvin Berstler finished third in the decathlon at the California Invitational this afternoon (April 13). The junior, one of three Falcons to compete in the 10-event competition at Azusa Pacific University, also moved into ninth on the program's all-time standings.

Berstler, who added 59 points to his previous career-high, moved from fifth to third during the second day of action. The junior opened the competition with a runner-up time of 15.60 in the 110-meter hurdles, before tallying career-best marks in the discus throw (111'4", seventh) and pole vault (14'1¼", fourth tie). Placing seventh in the 1500-meter run (4:45.53) and 11th in the javelin throw (124'11"), Berstler finished third in the overall standings for the second straight year.

Adding nearly 200 points to his career-high total, classmate Tyler Berson finished seventh in the decathlon standings, with 6456 points. The junior, who entered the day in 10th, made a jump in the overall standings after tying for second in the pole vault with a career-best clearance of 14'9". Berson clocked a season-best time of 15.40 to finish 11th in the 110-meter hurdles, while earning top 10 marks in both the javelin (career-best 136'6", sixth) and discus (109'11", ninth) events. He capped his day with a team-leading, fourth-place time of 4:44.63 in the 1500-meter run.

Sophomore Walker Newell rounded out the trio of Air Force competitors, as he finished 13th in his initial decathlon competition (5397 points). His best event finish came in the 110-meter hurdles, where he placed sixth with a season-best time of 16.11. Newell added a career-best distance of 97'2" in the discus throw (13th) and made his collegiate debut in the javelin throw (121'9", 12th) and 1500-meter run (4:55.21, ninth), while recording a no-height in the pole vault.

Two members of the Falcons' distance program kick off three days of action at the Mt. SAC Relays later this evening in Torrance, Calif., while the rest of the squad opens action at the Beach Invitational tomorrow (April 14) in Long Beach.

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