TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Graduate transfer Will Berning continued to make his presence felt on the IUPUI men's track and field team as he earned a second straight win in the javelin at the Sycamore Open on Saturday (Apr. 30). Berning earned an event win in his IUPUI debut at Illinois last weekend and followed up with an emphatic win at Indiana State for an encore. 

"It just feels good to get out there and chuck the spear again," Berning said. "After the COVID season, I wasn't sure if I'd ever get to throw again, so I'm just grateful to get out there and compete again."

Berning's winning throw came on his first toss as he threw 55.31m (181' 5''), ultimately winning the event by more than 10 meters. His throw ranked as the second-best effort in program history after he set the school record in his IUPUI debut last week. 

He nearly replicated the effort on his second throw with an effort of 54.14m. 

"Throwing conditions were brutal today. There were 15 to 18 mile per hour constant winds straight into the face with gusts upwards of 25 to 30," head coach Justin Roeder said. "Will was able to adjust accordingly and will come out with the win. 

"I'm looking forward to seeing him compete next week with the conference's best and hoping for a little better throwing conditions."

Berning and the rest of his IUPUI teammates will now turn efforts to the Horizon League Championships, held this coming week in Rochester, Mich.