Sophomore sensations
Knoch, Connellsville stars Geist, Wiltrout throwing themselves into WPIAL lore
Jordan Geist’s mother introduced her son to throwing the shot put years ago. Judy Geist, a former All-American thrower at Slippery Rock University, is now her son’s coach at Knoch High School.
The mother of Connellsville’s Madison Wiltrout also was involved in introducing her daughter to throwing the javelin. On a whim a year ago, Amy Wiltrout suggested Madison should try the javelin. So there was motherdaughter bonding when they sat down and watched YouTube videos detailing how to throw a javelin.
Who knew that two athletes from opposite ends of the WPIAL, with such different indoctrinations to their sports, would one day have so much in common.
Look at the list of best high school throwers in the country this spring for the shot put and javelin, and you will see Geist and Wiltrout. Look at the best throws in the history of the WPIAL, and you will see Geist and WIltrout. Look at the school class of Geist and Wiltrout and you will see the same. Sophomores. Although Geist and Wiltrout are only 10th-graders, they already are two for the ages in WPIAL track and field. One throws a 12-pound ball, the other a 1.3-pound spear. Their throws have landed where few in the WPIAL have gone. And oh, how their futures are so bright.
“We try to take it day by day, but I think he could be a 75-foot shot putter by the time he’s a senior,” Judy Geist said of Jordan. “His ultimate goal is to someday go to the Olympics. We’ve talked to a few people who have done that, and he’s well on his way.”
Wiltrout said: “I have many years to get to the level where I want to be. But honestly? Yes, the Olympics are on my mind.”
For now, though, consider the great distances Geist and Wiltrout have gone:
* Last week, Geist set a meet record at the Butler Invitational with a throw of 66 feet, 1½ inches. It was one of the best throws in WPIAL history. Geist (6 feet 2, 230 pounds) is getting close to legendary Baldwin shot putter Ron Semkiw, who threw 70-1¾ in 1970. Geist’s throw last week is third in the country this year among high school boys, according to Track & Field News.
And consider that Geist’s throw of 66-1½ would be the third-best throw ever at the PIAA championship meet, which has taken place since 1925.
* Wiltrout, who stands 5-9, won the PIAA Class AAA javelin championship last year as a freshman with a throw of 151-1. She has easily bettered that mark a number of times this year. She threw 168-5 at the Penn Relays in Philadelphia Thursday. It is the second-best throw in the country this spring and the best in WPIAL history. The No. 1 mark (165-9) was by Knoch’s Jen Crouch 26 years ago.
Wiltrout was a natural at the javelin. She played baseball against boys until the eighth grade — and played pitcher or center field. The arm was always strong.
“I don’t really want to set a number goal for myself, but overall I do want to win states again,” Wiltrout said. “And I definitely want to break the state record.”
The PIAA Class AAA championship meet record is 158-0. That might be a breeze for Wiltrout. No girl has ever won four Class AAA javelin titles since the PIAA started girls championships in 1975.
“We’ve had state champions before. If you’re a state champ, we can coach you,” Connellsville coach Jeff Galand said. “But Madison? I don’t know if we can give her the training she needs, because she is that good.”
Wiltrout has two personal coaches. One is Mike Coleman of Apollo-Ridge. The other is Bill Schmidt, a Canon-McMillan graduate who won a bronze medal at the 1972 Olympics and now lives in Knoxville, Tenn. Wiltrout sometimes travels to Schmidt’s home.
Geist is coached by his mother and also his father, Jim, who was also an All-American javelin thrower at Slippery Rock.
“Both of my parents have played a major role with me,” said Jordan, who also is an outstanding discus thrower. “I started at a young age. Living with my coaches, it’s hard to slack off or not work hard.”
Jordan Geist also was a starting fullback/linebacker at Knoch this past season, but has decided to give up football to concentrate on throwing.
Wiltrout also is a talented basketball player, averaging in double figures this past season. She plans on continuing with basketball, but knows her future is in the javelin.
“I think I’m further ahead than I thought I would be at this point,” she said.