Jordan's Back On Track
QUERETARO, MEXICO — Jordan Geist already had the shot put event won.
But the Knoch graduate and sophomore at the University of Arizona wanted more.
On his final throw at the NACAC U23 Championships Saturday, he fouled on what would have been his best effort of the day.
He protested, claiming he didn't foul, but his attempt was not measured.
That gave Geist a “bonus” throw according to the rules.
“The magical seventh round,” Geist quipped.
Geist used it well, launching the shot put 68 feet, 3¾ inches (20.81 meters) to break the meet record that had stood since 2006.
“I was kind of ticked off because the one they said I fouled on was a really far throw,” Geist said. “They had to give me another throw and I just grabbed my shot and ran out there and threw.”
Geist said usually when he's not calm, his throws suffer.
Not this time.
The effort was important for another reason for Geist, who used the NACAC meet as a tune-up for the 2019 USA Track and Field Championships in two weeks in Iowa and for the Pan-Am Games in August.
It got him back on track.
“Getting back into the rhythm of competition and to be able to win was a big deal for me,” Geist said. “It was just kind of a way to get a little bit of confidence and a boost after some disappointments.”
Geist was third at the NCAA Division I track and field championships early last month, but hoped to throw farther and finish higher.
Geist said he had been battling with some minor technique issues until finding a groove in Mexico.
“It was a lot about technique and even more mental,” Geist said. “It's been a matter of just keeping my body healthy and pushing through these upcoming meets here at the end of a long season.”
After winning the gold medal and breaking a record in Mexico, Geist spent 13 hours Monday traveling to Idaho for a throwing camp.
Eight hours were spent on a plane with four total layovers.
There was no rest for Geist, though, when he arrived in Idaho. There he planned on diving into his training for the USA nationals and trying to build on his breakthrough in Mexico.
“I have three weeks until the USA nationals, so I'm going to be grinding,” Geist said.
Geist also got to share his gold medal in Mexico with someone special.
Samantha Noennig for Arizona State University also won a gold medal in the shot put at the NACAC meet.
Geist and Noennig met at the U20 Pan-Am Games in Peru and their relationship was born.
“It just so happened she went to Arizona State and I went to Arizona,” Geist said.
“It was really cool that she won the gold medal, too,” Geist added, laughing, “because neither one of us can hold it over the other.”
