JEFFERSON TWP — From invitational records to WPIAL marks, state domination to world recognition, Jordan Geist did it all with a shot put and discus in his hand in 2016.

The Knoch senior's exploits in the sport have earned him the Butler Eagle Local Sports Story of the Year honor, per vote of the Eagle sports staff.

Geist set records at the Knoch Relays, Butler Invitational, Baldwin Invitational and Penn Relays. He snapped the 44-year-old shot put record at the WPIAL meet.

He tossed the shot put a state record 74 feet, 3.5 inches at the PIAA meet and was named Gatorade Pennsylvania Boys Track and Field Athlete of the Year.

“It's hard to gauge what he's going to do next,” Judy Geist, Jordan's mother and throwing coach, admitted. “When he sets a goal, he just obliterates it. He's been doing it time and time again.”

Geist is most proud of his latest achievement — setting a high school age world record by tossing a 16-pound shot put 68 feet, four inches at an indoor meet at Hempfield High School.

The previous record was 63-11.

“I wasn't expecting that at all,” Geist said. “The only reason I was using a 16-pound shot was because I was afraid something in the gym might get damaged if I threw a 12-pound.

“As it was, one of my throws in another event almost hit the roof and a throw did graze the basketball rim of one of the baskets that was turned up.”

Some venues can't hold the distance of Geist's discus throws. He could hit the parking lot at some facilities.

“It can get a little frustrating at times,” Geist admitted. “At the same time, one of my throws at Hempfield hit a door and rolled outside. That can be a cool feeling, too.”

Geist did fall short of one goal in 2016. He placed third in the shot put at the Junior National 20-under Track and Field Championships in Clovis, Calif. Only the top two represented the United States at the IAAF World Junior Championships.

“Jordan wants to represent his country badly,” Mrs. Geist said. “He wants to get back out to California and go at again.”

Geist said the competition at the Junior National meet motivates him more than chasing after any record.

“Absolutely, it does. I know the two guys who finished ahead of me well,” he said. “Bronson Osborne is from California and is going to UCLA. Adrian Piperi lives in Texas and is going to the University of Texas.

“I've gone up against those guys at different national events since ninth grade. They always do well. My goal is to beat them and win the Junior National title.”

Geist is headed to the University of Arizona next year. He has been working with North Allegheny coach Mike Hambrick — who coached Geist's mother when she was a competitor.

“Jordan's gotten the proper coaching and with his technique, work ethic, commitment and physical strength, he's just taken off,” Mrs. Geist said.

“He's done a lot of special things this year (2016), but he's far from satisfied.”

One of the records still out there for Geist is the PIAA discus mark of 213 feet. He missed it by 10 feet and has thrown the discus as far as 197 feet, 11 inches.

“I don't like to put a projected number on throws, but if I get 215, I'll be happy,” he said.

“When I went to that (indoor) meet at Hempfield, the last thing on my mind was setting a world record. It just happened. That's how this sport is. You never know.”