TUCSON, Ariz. — When Arizona's Jordan Geist steps into the shot put circle he's fast, he's explosive, he's strong, and he's competing against himself, because he's that good.
The son of all-American track athletes, Jordan Geist was a shot put prodigy growing up outside Pittsburgh, where he attended Knoch High School and became affectionately known as the Knochness Monster. And, he was someone UA Throws Coach TJ Crater wanted to have as a Wildcat.
"We had heard rumors about this kid in Pennsylvania," said Crater. " He's got great ability to feel where he is in the circle. His body awareness is really good."
Since joining Arizona last year, Geist hasn't disappointed. Among his many accomplishments, he became the youngest athlete ever in the world to surpass 70 feet in the shot put.
"It was definitely really cool to think about, just knowing that other elite Olympic athletes who have won World and the Olympics have done that. It was cool to see."
The six-foot-two Geist has thrown himself into the conversation regarding the 2020 U.S. Olympic team, something he's been training for since he was 8.
Coach Crater says, "Looking at his ability, his potential, its amazing."
