NEW YORK — Jordan Geist left last year’s New Balance Nationals Indoor meet with a fourth-place finish in the shot put and a renewed resolve.

The Knoch junior and Cabot native spent most of this winter honing his throws to get back to The Armory in New York City for another chance at a national championship.

Geist wasn’t going to be denied

Geist unleashed a 70-foot throw on his first attempt and bested that with a first-place and meet record heave of 71-2¾ to win a national high school indoor championship Saturday night in the shot put.

“It’s definitely awesome and an honor,” Geist said. “Last year, I just wasn’t a very smart thrower. I didn’t know what to expect from the facility and the atmosphere. This year I knew what to expect.”

Geist was the only competitor to top 70 feet.

“It was the first time all year I threw 70 on my first throw,” Geist said. “So, I felt pretty good.”

Geist had the top throw in the nation all winter.

“I knew after that first throw he was going to have a good day,” said Knoch throwing coach Judy Geist, who is also Jordan’s mother. “I think the feeling is of relief to get a national championship under his belt.”