05/27/2026
MISSION AT THE LONG JUMP: Tomorrow, two Notre Dame Prep middle school student-athletes will compete at the 41st Oakland County Middle School Championship at Clarkston High School — and they’ll do so with a little extra confidence thanks to the support of NDP alum Joey DeCasas NDP’25.
Now competing as a freshman for the University of Detroit Mercy track and field program, DeCasas recently took time out of his own demanding schedule as a Division I student-athlete to return and work with the middle school’s two state-qualifying long jumpers — Quinn Carroll, 8th grade, and Emily Kuron, 6th grade — during a special practice session led by the NDP coaching staff assisted by Marisol Aguilar, NDP's middle school Spanish teacher.
“Of course, I’ll help,” was DeCasas’s immediate response when asked if he could step in and help coach for the day, according to Aguilar.
The guidance came from one of the top young jumpers in the Horizon League. In just his freshman season at Detroit Mercy, DeCasas has already broken the school’s long jump record, earned Horizon League Indoor Athlete of the Year honors, won multiple conference weekly awards, and posted marks that rank among the best in the nation.
But perhaps even more impressive is the way he continues to live out the Notre Dame Prep mission beyond graduation — returning to invest in younger students and share his talents with the next cohort of students.
The coaching staff was grateful for DeCasas’s willingness to help, noting how valuable his instruction and encouragement were for the students ahead of tomorrow’s championship meet.
Best of luck to our middle school jumpers tomorrow — and thank you, Joey, for showing what it means to remain part of the NDP family even after graduation.