Tonight, March 7th, sophomore Jordan Geist will hear his name called at the NCAA banquet prior to the NCAA Indoor Championships. He will collect his third USTFCCCA West Region Field Athlete of the Year honor.


 
"It reassures me that I am where I want to be," said Geist. "It was not expected of me, but I wasn't surprised. It is another accomplishment to add, but it won't mean anything unless I win a National Championship."
 
On Friday at 6:20 p.m. MST, he will compete in his third NCAA Championships in the shot put event at the Birmingham CrossPlex.
 
"It is mostly just getting mentally ready for the meet," said Geist. "I know my body is physically ready to win a National Championship, now it is about mentally being able to execute what I need to."
 
In his freshman campaign, Geist claimed the Arizona and NCAA Freshman Indoor Shot Put Records and the Pac-12 shot put & discus titles. He was named a three-time Pac-12 Field Athlete of the Week and Pac-12 Championships Athlete of the Meet and picked up indoor & outdoor USTFCCCA West Region Field Athlete of the Year honors. He is also an indoor and outdoor First Team All-American in the shot put and a Second Team All-American in the discus.
 
Most recently, Geist amassed 18 points at the MPSF Championships. He finished second in the weight throw with a PR toss of 20.60m (67-7). Highlighting the outing was a battle for the shot put title. The sophomore qualified for the event final on his first throw, but fouled throws two and three to sit in second with three throws left. On his final throw, the Wildcat heaved the shot 20.79m (68-2.5) to win the event.
 

The sophomore won on his final toss, throwing a mark of 20.79m (68-2.5) to earn ?? points towards the team total!#BearDown #BeLezoLike pic.twitter.com/9JEKhSEqXN

— Arizona Track & Field (@ArizonaTrack) February 23, 2019

 
"That was just kind of the mentality I needed going into this meet," said Geist. "It shows that I'm mentally a lot stronger in this meet."
 
Hailing from Saxonburg, Penn., Geist was undefeated in his discipline in the 2019 indoor campaign. His season-best mark came in his third outing at the Texas Tech Shootout, where he putted the shot 21.15m (69-4.75) to take first and set a new meeting record. His mark will rank him second on the NCAA list going into the national meet.


 
While only a sophomore, the three time All-American is no stranger to the big stage. In high school, he competed in six national championships, winning four. Last year, he competed in the indoor and outdoor shot put National Championships and garnered Second Team All-America Honors in the discus.
 
"It takes away the surprise factor. I know what to expect. I know if I show up, and do what I'm expected to do, I should be able to win this thing. The whole process I am used to now. I am comfortable with."
 
On May 11th & 12th, Geist and the Cats will host the Pac-12 Championships at Roy P. Drachman Stadium. He's excited for the opportunity to show off his facility to the conference.  
 
"There is a little more pressure hosting," said Geist. "It is really cool because we do have a beautiful stadium. Especially in Arizona, you don't expect the grass to be that green and its just so cool to compete at. It might be a little hot, but that might be an advantage for us."