Gately Indoor Track Center erupted with cheers every time the starting pistol went off during DePaul’s fourth annual Blue Demon Alumni Classic. There were many events happening at the same time, from shot put to long jump to sprints. 

Alongside a special recognition for track and field alum Darius Brown, DePaul honored their fourteen seniors for senior day.

“The years flew by,” senior Jaiah Hopf said. “I never really thought I’d really even be doing college track. But here we are, you know?”

Hopf finished in second place in women’s long jump, with a jump of 5.88 meters. 

“When people watch it, it just looks hard,” Hopf said. “It looks cool, but it looks hard. So, like, being able to do that, that a lot of people can’t, it just makes me feel like, I mean, I’m special.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 10, she was named the Big East women’s field athlete of the week, marking the fifth time in her career she has earned the honor.

She earned the title after scoring first place in the long jump at the Badger Windy City Invitational in early February. She later earned third place in the triple jump at 12.45 meters, which currently ranks second in the Big East this season.

Hopf was honored during senior day with her brother, Isaiah Hopf, who also participates in long jump and triple jump. He secured first place in the triple jump, hitting 14.88 meters.

Hopf also walked with her boyfriend Demetrius Rolle when he was honored as a senior.

“It’s a good feeling to be loved and respected,” Rolle said. “It goes a long way that your coaches show you appreciation. I’m grateful to be a part of DePaul as it’s on the up and up, but it’s been a fun two years.”

Rolle started the day off strong, securing first place and breaking a previous DePaul record he set in the men’s preliminaries 60-meter dash, which was 6.70. He beat it by one-hundredth of a second.

A few hours later, he participated in the 200-meter dash but suffered an injury and wasn’t able to finish the race.

“The injury that I got today is an injury I’ve been nursing regardless,” Rolle said. “… So I’m not really disappointed in myself, I’m happy to come out today with a dub in the 60.”

Senior Nadja Moll has mixed feelings after being recognized during senior day. 

“I feel great,” Moll said. “I’m also kind of sad because that means it’s my last year. Obviously, I had a great time here, and I wish I had a little more time.”

She finished 10th in the women’s 400-meter dash with a time of 56.51 seconds. 

At some points, there were as many as five events going on at the same time. Even though it might seem chaotic, Rolle said he makes sure to keep a good mindset when he’s competing.

“Just come in and have fun with it,” Rolle said. “… Go out, compete, try to be the best in the race, try to win the meet most of the time. But whatever happens that day, at least I have fun.”

Moll said she plans to keep running as a hobby once she graduates. Hopf, on the other hand, said she isn’t sure if she will continue doing track and field.

“I would love to, but I’m not sure if my body could even handle anything,” Hopf said. “I don’t know how many more years I got.”

Now the Blue Demons look onto the Big East Indoor Championships Feb. 27-28, which will be held at Gately Indoor Track Center. Shortly after that, they will prepare for the NCAA Indoor National Championships on March 13-14, which will be held at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

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