DePaul University Athletics
Eight Blue Demons Earn NCAA West Preliminary Round Bids
5/22/2026 2:45:00 PM | TRACK AND FIELD
Track and field brings record-setting season to Arkansas
CHICAGO – The NCAA announced Thursday afternoon that DePaul track and field will send eight student-athletes to the NCAA Championships West Preliminary Rounds, with the Blue Demons represented in hurdles, jumps, throws and relay competition.
Veterans Jaiah Hopf and Alex Bernstein lead the group, each making their fourth NCAA West Prelims appearance. Hopf qualified in the women's triple jump at No. 41 in the West Region, while Bernstein enters the men's hammer throw ranked No. 6 nationally in the West Region.
Bernstein was one of two Blue Demons to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene last season, ultimately finishing 18th nationally in a loaded championship field. The graduate thrower enters the final collegiate meets of his career looking to return to Eugene and continue climbing the national leaderboard.
Jaiden Gary returns to the regional stage for the second time in his career after qualifying No. 38 in the men's shot put, while Helen Baumgarten will make her NCAA postseason debut after qualifying No. 46 in the women's 100m hurdles. DePaul's men's 4x400m relay also earned a bid, with Tyce Smith, Denhm Holt, Christian Ortiz-Velazquez and Daniel Fasasi ranked No. 24 in the West Region.
The NCAA West Preliminary Rounds will take place May 27-30 at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark. The top-12 finishers in each event will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore. in June.
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.
Veterans Jaiah Hopf and Alex Bernstein lead the group, each making their fourth NCAA West Prelims appearance. Hopf qualified in the women's triple jump at No. 41 in the West Region, while Bernstein enters the men's hammer throw ranked No. 6 nationally in the West Region.
Bernstein was one of two Blue Demons to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene last season, ultimately finishing 18th nationally in a loaded championship field. The graduate thrower enters the final collegiate meets of his career looking to return to Eugene and continue climbing the national leaderboard.
Jaiden Gary returns to the regional stage for the second time in his career after qualifying No. 38 in the men's shot put, while Helen Baumgarten will make her NCAA postseason debut after qualifying No. 46 in the women's 100m hurdles. DePaul's men's 4x400m relay also earned a bid, with Tyce Smith, Denhm Holt, Christian Ortiz-Velazquez and Daniel Fasasi ranked No. 24 in the West Region.
The NCAA West Preliminary Rounds will take place May 27-30 at John McDonnell Field in Fayetteville, Ark. The top-12 finishers in each event will advance to the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore. in June.
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.
Players Mentioned
Hurdles
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Throws
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Sprints
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Throws
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Sprints
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Jumps
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Sprints
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Sprints
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