Sports
DePaul University Blue Demons – Official Athletics Website
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – DePaul track and field opened its stay in College Station with four statement performances on Wednesday, as every Blue Demon improved upon their West Region qualifying mark. The day was highlighted by Alex Bernstein punching his first ticket to the NCAA Championships, while Demetrius Rolle and Darius Brown advanced to their […]
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – DePaul track and field opened its stay in College Station with four statement performances on Wednesday, as every Blue Demon improved upon their West Region qualifying mark. The day was highlighted by Alex Bernstein punching his first ticket to the NCAA Championships, while Demetrius Rolle and Darius Brown advanced to their respective quarterfinals set for Friday.
Bernstein delivered a moment to remember in the men’s hammer throw, erupting with a scream after a clutch final attempt sealed his spot at the NCAA Championships. Ranked 20th in the West entering the week, the senior unleashed a 65.36m mark on his third and final throw to place 11th and claim one of 12 qualifying spots. It marks the first national appearance of his career, and he’ll now head to Hayward Field among the top 24 hammer throwers in the country.
Just minutes later, Jaiden Gary stepped into the ring and nearly added another Blue Demon to the Eugene-bound list. The freshman, seeded 49th in the region, shattered expectations with a personal-best 18.28m toss to finish 20th overall, less than half a meter shy of advancing. He placed third among all freshmen in the West and capped a standout debut season with a performance that bodes well for the future of DePaul’s throws unit.
Darius Brown, a seasoned postseason competitor, remained steady in the 110m hurdles. The senior ran a clean 13.48 to finish seventh in the opening round, advancing comfortably to Friday’s quarterfinal.
Demetrius Rolle made the biggest leap of the day. In his NCAA postseason debut, the graduate student surged from a No. 35 seed to finish 17th in the 100m with a time of 10.39, good for a spot in Friday’s quarterfinal round. He and Brown will now each compete in their respective events among 24 athletes vying for a top-12 finish and a berth to Eugene.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, DePaul was without 800m qualifier Dustin Hudak, as he was held out shortly before the race.
NCAA West Preliminary Rounds
E.B. Cushing Stadium – College Station, Texas
Wednesday, May 28
Men’s Hammer Throw: 11. Alex Bernstein – 65.36m (q)
Men’s Shot Put: 20. Jaiden Gary – 18.28m (PB)
Men’s 110m Hurdles: 7. Darius Brown – 13.48Q
Men’s 100m: 17. Demetrius Rolle – 10.39q
Men’s 800m: Dustin Hudak – DNS
UP NEXT: Graduate thrower Kash Allen will compete in the women’s shot put on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. CT as the Blue Demons continue their historic run in the NCAA West Prelims.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all of the latest on DePaul Cross Country, Track & Field, stay tuned to DePaulBlueDemons.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
Bernstein delivered a moment to remember in the men’s hammer throw, erupting with a scream after a clutch final attempt sealed his spot at the NCAA Championships. Ranked 20th in the West entering the week, the senior unleashed a 65.36m mark on his third and final throw to place 11th and claim one of 12 qualifying spots. It marks the first national appearance of his career, and he’ll now head to Hayward Field among the top 24 hammer throwers in the country.
Just minutes later, Jaiden Gary stepped into the ring and nearly added another Blue Demon to the Eugene-bound list. The freshman, seeded 49th in the region, shattered expectations with a personal-best 18.28m toss to finish 20th overall, less than half a meter shy of advancing. He placed third among all freshmen in the West and capped a standout debut season with a performance that bodes well for the future of DePaul’s throws unit.
Darius Brown, a seasoned postseason competitor, remained steady in the 110m hurdles. The senior ran a clean 13.48 to finish seventh in the opening round, advancing comfortably to Friday’s quarterfinal.
Demetrius Rolle made the biggest leap of the day. In his NCAA postseason debut, the graduate student surged from a No. 35 seed to finish 17th in the 100m with a time of 10.39, good for a spot in Friday’s quarterfinal round. He and Brown will now each compete in their respective events among 24 athletes vying for a top-12 finish and a berth to Eugene.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, DePaul was without 800m qualifier Dustin Hudak, as he was held out shortly before the race.
NCAA West Preliminary Rounds
E.B. Cushing Stadium – College Station, Texas
Wednesday, May 28
Men’s Hammer Throw: 11. Alex Bernstein – 65.36m (q)
Men’s Shot Put: 20. Jaiden Gary – 18.28m (PB)
Men’s 110m Hurdles: 7. Darius Brown – 13.48Q
Men’s 100m: 17. Demetrius Rolle – 10.39q
Men’s 800m: Dustin Hudak – DNS
UP NEXT: Graduate thrower Kash Allen will compete in the women’s shot put on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. CT as the Blue Demons continue their historic run in the NCAA West Prelims.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all of the latest on DePaul Cross Country, Track & Field, stay tuned to DePaulBlueDemons.com and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, and X.