Geist goes US#1 in opener; Jones clears US#2: Dickinson Holiday Invitational Recap

Dickinson College HS Holiday Invitational
Dan Beck


The snow kept some teams from traveling to Dickinson College on Saturday. But the two biggest names on the performance list competed on Saturday and put up some solid early season marks.

Jordan Geist, the Knoch senior and state record holder in the shot put, took the win in the shot put and threw a US#1 71-4. It was no state record for Geist (that is 72-9.5), but it's a strong start nonetheless for the reigning state champion.

Watch an interview with PTXC's Phil Grove below:

Also of note in the shot put was Selinsgrove's Keith Dreese. The junior had an indoor best of 49-5 and an outdoor best of 51-10.5, but he proved that he can definitely be a factor this winter and beyond with a big toss to take second to Geist. Dreese threw a PR of 53-2 in an impressive season opener.

Then South Williamsport's Katie Jones opened up her season at Dickinson as well. The senior Penn State commit cleared 12-6 to take the win. That's good enough for a US#2 for Jones. She had some good looks at 13-0, which would have been an indoor PR for her, but it was a strong start nonetheless for the state's top pole vaulter. 

Spring Grove's Nathalie Elliott took second in the girls' pole vault and Manheim Township's Courtney German was third. Both cleared 11-6. It was a strong PR for German, who entered this season with an indoor best of 9-6 and an outdoor best of of 10-6. Last weekend, she cleared 11-1 at the first VaultWorX meet.

Watch Jones' 12-6 clearance HERE and check out her interview below:

In the boys' pole vault, East Pennsboro's Payton Morris took the win, clearing 14-6, just shy of his PA#1 of 14-7. Morris, a junior, is off to a good start this season. He was fifth at indoor states last winter.

Watch an interview with Morris below: