It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s Canton grad long-jumping to stardom at U of M

To say 2025 Canton High School graduate Quincy Isaac enjoyed a spectacular freshman track & field season at the University of Michigan would be a huge understatement.

Isaac continued to add hardware to his personal trophy case — which was probably already crammed with his high school medals and trophies — against stiffer and more-experienced competition at U of M.

Stuffing his trophy case

For starters, Isaac tied the program record in the long jump with a 7.89-meter effort (25 feet, 10.75 inches) at the Big Ten Outdoor Championships, finishing second to earn All-Big Tean second team honors and a spot on the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.

He also qualified for the NCAA East First Round, where he tied his personal best and finished fifth to earn a berth at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Ore.

Isaac was the lone freshman to advance to the long jump finals, finishing ninth (7.78m/25-6.25 feet) for second team All-America honors.

In his final three years at Canton, Isaac captured three MHSAA long-jump state championships (setting the finals record this year), repeatedly broke his own P-CEP records in the event, and posted the best high school indoor long-jump effort in the country early this year.

“First of all, what makes Quincy such a great long jumper is his intelligence,” said Canton Track & Field Head Coach Jon Mehl during a 2025 interview with Social House News. “Secondly is his deep-seated desire to win that goes above and beyond what most competitive athletes display.”

Isaac is much more than an accomplished long jumper

A member of the Canton High School student council, Isaac volunteered locally, delivering meals to the homeless and repurposing used clothing to make toys for shelter animals, a Gatorade press release noted.

“He has also donated his time as a tutor in math, Spanish and chemistry in addition to serving as a youth basketball and track coach,” the release added.

Isaac’s record-breaking legacy has humble beginnings.

“I attended a track & field camp in middle school or late-elementary school,” recounted Isaac, who attended Pioneer Middle School. “I tried every event and long jump was what I was best at.”

Sweat equity pays off

Isaac said last year that reaching the pinnacle of his sport hasn’t come easily.

“It definitely took me a while to get good at it,” he admitted. “I didn’t learn how to land properly until I got to high school. There’s so much technique that goes into it.

“It’s a difficult event because everything has to be perfect in order for the jump to be right. You have to make sure you push off from the board at the right time, you’re technique in the air has to be perfect — there’s a lot to focus on, which is what I like about it.”

Ed Wright be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.