Knoch grad Geist chasing Olympics after being elected to Hall of Fame
TUCZON, Ariz. — Jordan Geist is headed to the Hall of Fame — though his athletic career is far from over.
The 2017 Knoch graduate, in his sixth year at the University of Arizona as the Wildcats’ top shot put and hammer thrower, has been elected for induction into the Pennsylvania High School Track and Field Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place May 27 during the PIAA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
Of course, Geist has plenty of memories there.
He was a three-time PIAA shot put and discus champion. He owns the state record in the shot put (76 feet), discus (208 feet, 7 inches) and hammer throw (238-9). Geist also owns the indoor state meet record of 76-10.5 in the shot put. He was shot put champion at the National Scholastic Outdoor Meet in 2017.
“There’s a lot of history in Pennsylvania track and field,” Geist said. “I’m excited to be a part of that and recognized by the Hall of Fame. Those were fun times for me back then.
“I love this sport. My ultimate goal is to not have to get a job and do this professionally, full-time.”
He’s working on that.
Geist received an extra year of athletic eligibility at Arizona due to the COVID year. He also took a red-shirt year during an outdoor season so he could compete in indoor and outdoor track and field during this, his final collegiate season.
“He’s been through a lot out there,” said Judy Geist, Jordan’s mother and his throwing coach at Knoch. “He had COVID one year ... not bad, just tired ... and missed four weeks of training his junior year. That set him back a bit.
“Arizona has a new throwing coach this year and he’s helped Jordan a lot. He’s back over 70 feet again in the shot put and has definite goals in front of himself.”
Geist will be competing at the NCAA Indoor Championships this weekend in Albuquerque, N.M., entering that competition with the top shot put throw nationally at 70.575 feet. He is ranked among the best in the hammer throw as well. He was the PAC-12’s Field Athlete of the Year in 2019 and 2021.
Geist has finished third in the shot put at the NCAA Outdoor Championships three times.
“Obviously, this is the year I want to break through and win the national title,” he said.
Arizona’s throwing coach, Lucais MacKay, could play a factor there. Before joining the Wildcats’ coaching staff, he served as the throws coach at Penn State for six years, leading the Nittany Lions to an NCAA title in the weight throw. He won the NCAA championship in the hammer throw while competing for the University of Georgia in 2003.
“He’s outstanding,” Geist said of MacKay. “I’m learning a lot from him.”
Geist has a four-year degree in business management from Arizona. He’s also completed master’s degrees in marketing and finance. In addition, he’s working on gaining certification in strength and conditioning.
“I’m working with athletes in the weight room now, getting experience toward maybe becoming a strength and conditioning coach in college down the road,” he said. “It’s just another option I’m keeping open.”
The next Summer Olympic Games are in Paris in 2024. Los Angeles will host the 2028 Games.
Geist hopes to be competing in both.
“Those will be my prime Olympic years,” he said. “A lot of athletes compete professionally, train on the side while holding down jobs, and do very well. My hope is to get sponsorship and be able to devote full time to my training. That’s one of the reasons this year is so important for me.
“I’d like to be a member of USA teams for a number of years yet.”
The Pa. High School Track and Field Hall of Fame was established in 1995. The selection committee consists of 30 coaches, officials and journalists. Each year, 6 to 12 athletes, one coach, one contributor and one distinguished alum are inducted.
The committee currently has information on over 400 athletes, 100 coaches and 50 contributors who have been nominated, but not yet inducted. Athletes become eligible five years after their high school graduation.
