ALBUQUERQUE, NM – Arizona Track and Field concluded the 2023 indoor season at the NCAA Indoor Championships on Saturday. Jordan Geist led the way for the Wildcats, winning the men's shot put and being crowned an NCAA Champion. Geist, along with Talie Bonds and Alexa Porpaczy, earned All-America honors for their performances.
 
"It was a very, very good day for our Wildcats," said Head Coach Fred Harvey. "Talie Bonds in her first ever indoor national championship was seventh today in the greatest 60m hurdles race in NCAA history. Jordan Geist was the National Champion tonight in the shot put and it was well deserved."
 
Jordan Geist stole the show for the Wildcats as he became the first Arizona competitor to win an indoor national championship since Lawi Lalang did it in 2013. Geist came into the shot put event as the highest ranked thrower and he did not disappoint, as he won the event with a mark of 21.15m (69-4.75). This performance capped off a dominant season for Geist in the shot put. Similar to how he led the NCAA from the start of the indoor season, Geist led the shot put competition today from his very first throw. Yesterday, Geist finished as an Honorable Mention All-American in the weight throw, but today he adds the accolades of being a First Team All-American and a NCAA Champion.
 
Coach Harvey added, "I don't believe anyone deserves anything that they don't work for! I personally was a part of Jordan's in-home recruitment and the expectations from the track and field world were over the top before him even leaving high school. Jordan never backed down from the challenge, and now he can call himself a National Champion! He has a forever place on my office wall."
 
In an ultra-competitive heat of the women's 60m hurdles, Talie Bonds ran right around her school record and personal best time, clocking an 8.03 and finishing seventh in the NCAA in the event. Her top-eight finish in the hurdles earned her the honor of being a First Team All-American. Although she was an All-American last year during the outdoor season, this is the first time that Bonds has achieved the accolade for the indoor season.
 
Alexa Porpaczy started the day off for the Wildcats in the women's high jump. Despite adversity, Porpaczy cleared a height of 1.77m (5-9.75) and placed 14th overall in the NCAA. For the second time in her collegiate career, Porpaczy earned All-America honors, finishing as a Second Team All-American in the high jump.
 
"The gutsiest performance of the day goes to Alexa!" said Coach Harvey. Assistant Coach Bob Myers also added, "I'm so proud of how Alexa competed while overcoming adversity. She showed how tough she is. She'll have a great outdoor season!"
 
UP NEXT
This championship meet concludes the 2023 indoor season. The Wildcats will jump right into the outdoor track and field season though, starting things off with the Island Relays in Freeport, Bahamas on Friday, March 17 and Saturday, March 18.
 
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