WPIAL, PIAA record-holder Jordan Geist sets NCAA freshman shot put mark
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Sunday, January 28, 2018 | 3:48 AM
Former WPIAL phenom Jordan Geist, now a freshman at Arizona, broke the university’s shot put record Saturday and established a new NCAA mark for freshmen.
Geist set a personal-best in the 16-pound shot with a throw of 70 feet, 4 inches (21.45 meters) at the University of Washington Invitational, an indoor event he won by nearly six feet. The Knoch graduate’s distance was the best in the NCAA this season and second best in the world.
“Today was a fantastic day,” throws coach TJ Crater said in an athletics department statement. “Jordan has been on a mission for the past few weeks, and he accomplished his goal. He executed his throw very well, and brought the right level of emotion to the meet. I could not be prouder of him. Now, we go back to refocus on the big meets ahead.”
?Jordan Geist? threw a 21.45m (70ft 4in) to win the shot put‼️
The freshman just set the…
No 1⃣ mark in the NCAA✅
No 2⃣ mark in the world✅
NCAA FR record✅
School record ✅
Facility record✅#BearDown #BeLezoLike pic.twitter.com/3irz0aLtal— Arizona Track & Field (@ArizonaTrack) January 27, 2018
Former Penn State thrower Darrell Hill, a U.S. Olympian in the 2016 Summer Games, used Twitter to welcome Geist to the 70-foot club.
Feels good to join!
— knochness monster (@Jordan_Geist35) January 27, 2018
Geist graduated from Knoch as one of the greatest high school throwers in state history. He was both a six-time WPIAL champion and a six-time state champion. He won shot put and discus titles three years in a row and holds PIAA Class AAA championship meet records in both events.
Geist topped 70 feet in high school with a 12-pound shot. He set the PIAA championship record with a 74-foot, 3½-inch toss in 2016.
Less than 2 years ago @Jordan_Geist35 broke the 70-foot barrier with the 12-pounder as a HS junior. In his 2nd official meet as an @ArizonaTrack frosh, he puts the 16-pounder that distance. #BearDown @CoachCrater @Fred26Harvey
— Phil Grove (@oldschooltrack) January 28, 2018
Jordan Geist has become the youngest man to throw over 70 feet in the shot put, according to U of Wash Invitational announcer. Stay tuned for official details. @ArizonaTrack @Jordan_Geist35 @TheWildcaster
— Frank O. Sotomayor (@Cat1Zona) January 27, 2018
Chris Harlan is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at charlan@tribweb.com or via Twitter @CHarlan_Trib.
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