Jordan Geist

Knoch sophomore Jordan Geist doesn't want to disappoint anyone in the gallery who comes to watch him throw.

At the PIAA Class AAA State Track Championships Friday at Shippensburg University, he sent all his supporters home happy.

Geist won his first state championship with a throw of 186 feet, 2 inches in the discus.

It extended his Butler County record and his personal best by nine feet.

“Last year, I was still trying to make a name for myself,” Geist said. “The fans want to see a far throw and that's what I want to do.”

Geist, whose goal was to set a personal best, had three throws that went over 180 feet. He finished three feet in front of Warwick senior David Lucas, who finished with a throw of 183-1.

“I think Jordan was relaxed and he likes having all the people watching him,” said Knoch throwing coach Judy Geist, who is Jordan's mom. “He was feeding off that. The more people watching he likes it.”

Attracting a crowd was easy for Jordan Geist.

His buzz, which was already high entering the season, was amplified when he won the shot put at the Penn Relays with a throw of 67-1 1/4 feet in April.

He followed that up by winning a pair of WPIAL titles, in the shot put and discus.

“Between Penn Relays and states and junior nationals last year has helped me come a long way,” Jordan Geist said. “I'm feeding off that energy.”

Judy Geist thought Jordan looked good in the warmups and was comfortable with his mechanics.

During his practice throws, Geist hit 181 and 182 feet.

“He's grown a lot,” Judy Geist said. “He understands what position he needs to be in the throws. What he needs to do the day before, the week before. He's very mature and matured throughout the season.”

Knoch junior Brennan McTighe also medaled in the discus, placing fourth with a throw of 160-7.

Other Class AAA athletes who competed, but didn't medal included: Butler's Julia Baxter, tie for 12th, high jump, 5-2; Butler's Kalynn Callihan, 12th, shot put, 37-3.

Other Class AA athletes who competed but didn't medal included: Moniteau's Maura Kimmel, ninth, discus, 120-3; Our Lady of Sacred Heart's and Cranberry Township resident Courtey Alexander, 12th, high jump, 5-0; Moniteau's Brendon Stamm, 16th, shot put, 48-6.