Geist headed to Pan Am Games
SACRAMENTO — Even with everything he has already accomplished, there are still things Jordan Geist strives to attain.
That list just got a bit shorter.
With his first-place throw of 69 feet, 4¼ inches in the shot put in Friday's USATF Junior Outdoor Championships in California, the recent Knoch High School graduate earned a berth into the Pan American Junior Games, scheduled next month in Peru.
Geist and runner-up Adrian Piperi (68-3) will represent the United States in South America.
After four throws in Friday's event, Geist's best effort of 64-7.75 had him in third place.
“He struggled at the start a bit,” said Geist's mother and coach, Judy Geist. “He's been going back and forth with throwing the (13-pound, two-ounce) shot and the 16-pounder. His timing was off, but I had a feeling his fifth throw would be his best.”
Judy Geist was right as her son unleashed what would be the winning throw on his fifth attempt.
“I started off slow, but once I got into the finals (top eight), things picked up a bit,” said Jordan.
The Junior Championships used the 13-pound, two-ounce shot. Jordan Geist threw that weight several times during his high school season, which yielded a WPIAL and state title in the event.
“We wanted him to get some work in with that weight,” Judy Geist said. “We checked with the WPIAL to make sure it was OK.”
The reason Jordan was also getting practice in with a 16-pound shot was he knew he would be competing in the USATF Outdoor men's shot put on Sunday at the same venue. That event included Olympians and college competitors. Geist's best throw there was 61-9½, which fell short of getting him to the finals.
“The experience was cool, but it was frustrating,” Jordan said. “I want to throw well and I don't like throwing different size balls. I like to focus on one size. That's why I am excited to get to college (University of Arizona) where I will be throwing just the 16-pound ball.”
Jordan Geist will have a singular focus over the next few weeks.
“It's all about training for the Pan American (Junior) Games,” he said regarding the event, scheduled July 21-23 in Lima, Peru. “I will practice my throwing at Knoch. As far as the weight lifting, we have a weight room set up in the basement of our house, but it's pretty primitive. I might have to find another place for that.”
