So we've reached the final two for our Pennsylvania track & field/cross country "Moment of the Year." We've had an incredible year for sure. We saw freshmen dominate against the veterans, and we saw seniors go out on the highest of notes. We saw some incredible teams, and some amazing breakout performances. There were state records that went down, and repeat champions.
Two particular moments, however, stood above them all.
Photo by Don Rich
There was Jordan Geist's incredible season, capped off with a huge state record-breaking throw at the PIAA Track & Field State Championships.
Geist, of Knoch, was a dominating force in the throws all season. Indoors, he beat Olympian Ryan Whiting's state record. He threw an indoor best of 72-9.5 and went on to win his second straight indoor state title and even added a win at New Balance Nationals Indoor.
Outdoors, Geist beat Ron Semkiw's state record that stood since 1972 at the Knoch Relays. He then broke the record again at the Penn Relays with a toss of 73-0.75. At the state meet, Geist launched a new record, bettering himself with a throw of 74-3.5 on his first throw of the competition. In Idaho, at the Ironwood Throwers Classic he one-upped himself by an inch and broke that state record again. He know sits at #6 all-time nationally in the shot put. For the purpose of this countdown, we'll focus on his PIAA outdoor state championship throw.
Photo by Don Rich
There was Chanel Brissett's dream season, that ended in Eugene at the Olympic Trials with a state record tying run in the 100 meter hurdles.
Brissett, of Cheltenham, hasn't been hurdling for long, but she became a quick study and a quick champion this season. In the 60-meter hurdles indoors, Brissett quickly dispatched of former teammate Ciara Leonard's state record. She broke that at the Kevin Dare Invitational at Penn State. At indoor states, while also competing in the 60 dash, Brissett broke her own state record, running 8.25. She then ran 8.23 at New Balance Nationals Indoor, where she placed fourth.
When outdoors rolled around, Brissett quickly became a force in the 100-meter hurdles. She ran a wind-aided 13.09 in Flordia at the Pepsi Relays. Then she went on to win the state championship in a 13.19, breaking the PIAA meet record. She dropped that time to 13.01 and won a national championship at NBNO. She qualified for the Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon. At the Trials, Brissett made it out of the preliminary round and tied Candy Young's 1979 state record of 12.95 in the high hurdles. That ranks her #3 all-time nationally in the event.
Both moments were iconic. They will live on in Pennsylvania lore forever. Instead of choosing the winner ourselves, let's leave it up to the fans of PA track and field and cross country! Vote now until 7pm on Wednesday, 7/10 for the Moment of the Year. So it's up to you. Jordan Geist or Chanel Brissett? Who gets your vote?
Relive the Moments of the Year countdown by viewing all the articles HERE!
Vote in the poll below for the Moment of the Year. Feel free to share the poll on social media and engage in a debate in the comments for who you think is most deserving of the honor.