SHIPPENSBURG — There would be no drama.

No gnashing of teeth. No wondering if he would do it. Everyone who crowded around the shot put pit at Seth Grove Stadium at Shippensburg University was expecting him to do it.

And Knoch junior Jordan Geist obliged on his first throw Friday.

The shot put sailed completely out of the sector, 74 feet, 3½ inches away for a state record at the PIAA Track and Field Championships.

And a Class AAA title in the event for Geist.

“We thought the end of the pit was 70 feet, but when they put the markers out today it was about 73 feet,” Geist said. “When it landed outside of it, I knew it was good throw.”

The previous PIAA record was held by Ryan Whiting of Central Dauphin with a toss of 70 feet.

Geist's throw Friday is also the best in the nation.

Geist also had throws of 72 and 73 feet after his initial effort.

“It was definitely really cool being able to do it on the big stage,” Geist said. “I was probably most relaxed on that first throw. I think that's why I was able to get the big one then. It took the monkey off my back.”

Geist's mother and throwing coach Judy Geist said she was a bit surprised that distance came so early.

“I thought he'd work up to it,” Coach Geist said. “It was nice. It was so hot and it was good for him to get it out of the way like that.”

Lawson Monta of Greensburg Salem was second with a throw of 61-1¼.

Jordan Geist said he wasn't disappointed that he couldn't add to his state record after his initial throw.

“I was fine with that,” Geist said. “It's a new PR by over a foot.”

Geist isn't done.

Saturday afternoon he will shoot for a discus state title and perhaps a record in that event as well.

His best throw this season is 193-6. The state record is 202-10, set by Kyle Long of Hempfield in 2011.

Geist also has some stiff competition this year in Matt Slagus of North Pocono.

“I think it will definitely push him,” Coach Geist said. “It'll probably be the first competition he's seen in the discus all year. I don't think 202 is far-fetched.”

Jordan Geist has the same thought.

“The past two years at the state meet I've gotten my PR by a big amount,” Geist said. “Hopefully that trend continues.”

Other notable performances from Butler County area boys athletes at the PIAA Track and Field Championships Friday:

Freeport senior Bobby Jendrejewski placed eighth in the Class AA discus with a throw of 140-1.

Seneca Valley senior Mike Kolor is seeded second in the Class AAA 1,600-meter run heading into Saturday's finals. He ran a time of 4 minutes, 21.86 seconds — just .08 seconds off the pace of No. 1 seed Josh Hoey of Downingtown West.

Freeport senior Dylan Hochbein is seeded second in the 300 hurdles heading into Saturday's final. He ran a time of 38.96 seconds.

He is also seeded fifth heading into the finals in the 110-meter hurdles with a time of 15.07.