Jordan Geist seeing rewards of hard work

By Mary Albl for DyeStat

Saxonburg, Pa. – Jordan Geist may need to start practicing his signature a bit more these days.

A few weeks ago at an indoor track meet, the top high school shot put thrower in the nation was approached by a little girl. She came seeking his autograph.

“He was very nice and genuine about it,” his mom and coach, Judy Geist, recalled. “He draws a crowd, I gotta tell ya.”

There's been plenty of reason lately for all the attention Geist is receiving. The junior from Knoch High in Western Pennsylvania is currently the only high schooler in the country who's thrown the 12-pound shot more than 70 feet indoors. And he's been well over that mark routinely this season.  (Adrian Piperi from Texas and Bronson Osborn from California have achieved 70 feet already outdoors in recent weeks.)

US High School All-Time List

He leads the nation going into New Balance Nationals this weekend with a personal-best throw of 72-9.50 feet, good for No. 3 all-time and junior class national record. Geist is set to throw on Saturday (5 p.m.) at The Armory (New York).

“Just watching the progress from week to week is pretty amazing,” Judy Geist said.

The path to 70-plus feet started at 8 years old for Geist, as he was raised in a household consumed by throwing. His dad, Jim, a javelin thrower, and mom, a shot putter and discus thrower, both competed for Slippery Rock University (Pa.) where they earned All-American honors. Both are in the school's athletic hall of fame.

The Geist's basement has a ring. Out back there are more throwing areas.

“We talk about it (throwing) constantly,” Judy Geist said with a laugh.

Geist, who played baseball at an early age, and football up until last year, said he enjoys the sport because of the simplicity.

“I like it because it's really clear cut,” Geist explained. “And there's also a lot of fierce competition.”

Judy explained what makes Jordan an elite thrower is his mind. He learned at an early age that switching from the glide to spin would be a difference maker. He also made the decision to leave football and focus solely on throwing last year allowing him the offseason to lift and gain some weight.

“He understands what he needs to do,” Judy Geist said. “He's very smart.”

Judy explained that Jordan peaked too early last year. So they sat down and formed a plan for this winter. This season Geist moved into the top 10 all-time with his 70-plus throw in early January, which shattered the state indoor record of 69-6.5 by 2013 world silver medalist Ryan Whiting.

“He studies the sport, watches video ...he ties it all together himself,” Judy Geist explained.

Geist, who learned the basics from his dad, is primarily coached by his mom, who is the throws coach at Knoch. Once a week he'll work with his club coach, Mike Hambrick, on the technical aspects of the event.

“We've all been giving him advice, showing him what to do, and he's just been he taking it all in,” Judy Geist said. “He's a very coachable kid.”

But it's been his mom who he's formed a special and unique relationship with. The two spend a lot of time together  from home life to practice and traveling to track meets.

“He's kind of like a mini-me,” Judy Geist said with a laugh. “Throwing has brought us closer. It's really been great getting to know him.”

Added Geist: “Spending all that time with her, we've developed a really strong bond.”

While the attention has mounted this season for Geist, the straightforward and humble high schooler has been able to escape some of the spotlight with an uncommon and exclusive training area: an old, abandoned ceramic warehouse.

The Geist's stumbled upon it while looking for a place a little less crowded than the school gym. A family friend offered his non-operable warehouse as a solution.

There are cars stored in the warehouse during the winter, Jordan has access to the space for throwing workouts.

“We have a wall, we drew a circle on the floor, we probably go in there a few times a week,” Judy Geist explained.

There's no heat in the building, so it can get cold in the winter months. But it's somewhere Geist can throw and work on his technique. It works because it' s away from everything else.

“We don't have to worry about scratching up the floor, or breaking the bleachers,” Judy Geist said. “It gives him somewhere to focus and not worry about all the outside stuff going on.”

Inside they are able to throw and train with battle ropes and medicine balls. 

Geist heads into this weekend after winning the state title on Feb. 28 with a throw of 71-03.25. His mom said they tend to stray away from targeting a particular number, but they know Jordan is capable of much more.

“The limit is just how hard I'm going to work,” Geist said.