Ayala鈥檚 Joshua Komrosky is a rising star in track and field
CHINO HILLS, Calif. — Sixteen-year-old Joshua 鈥淛osh鈥� Komrosky has been part of Chino Hills athletics nearly his entire life. From early days on the soccer field to years of football at Ayala High School, to earning a black belt in Taekwondo, Josh has always been drawn to sports. But it is in the throwing circle, launching the shot put, discus, and hammer, where he has found both his greatest challenges and his greatest triumphs.
鈥淚 started throwing shot put when I was seven,鈥� Josh says. 鈥淏ack then, it was just this little plastic ball filled with sand. I wasn鈥檛 very good; I usually finished last at meets. But around my fifth year, something clicked. I got stronger, and suddenly I started winning gold medals. That鈥檚 when I realized this was my sport.鈥�
Now a junior at Ayala High School, Josh is already among the top throwers in the nation. He broke his school鈥檚 discus record as a sophomore with a throw of 178 feet 4 inches and placed seventh at the California State High School Track Meet, an accomplishment especially impressive for an underclassman in an event often dominated by older athletes.
A Love for Discus
Of the three events, Josh favors discus. 鈥淭here鈥檚 just something about it. I love the spin, the rhythm, and the challenge of pushing myself further each time,鈥� he explains. 鈥淭hrowing is a little different than other sports because it鈥檚 mostly you versus yourself. If I do better than I did last time, that鈥檚 a win. And if I win, my team and school win, too.鈥�
That mindset has paid off. Beyond high school competition, Josh also throws for JK Throwers, a club team founded by his dad, Jon. Under both his father鈥檚 guidance and the mentorship of Olympian Carl Myerscough, Josh has reached national recognition, earning seven All-American honors and more than 50 gold medals in various competitions. In 2023 and 2025, he became the number one discus thrower in the country for his age group.
鈥淢y dad鈥檚 advice is simple: 鈥楯ust throw it far,鈥欌�� Josh says with a laugh. 鈥淚t sounds silly, but it works. When I focus on that, my technique follows.鈥�
Balancing Power and Precision
Throwers often joke about their unique role in track and field. 鈥淲e just throw really heavy things really far,鈥� Josh says. 鈥淲e lift heavy, eat heavy, and stay heavy so we can throw heavy.鈥� He explains the technical details with precision: a 1.6-kilogram discus, a 12-pound shot put, and a 12-pound hammer. For all three, he uses a spinning technique to maximize speed and force within the concrete throwing circle.
鈥淓very event has its own rhythm,鈥� Josh says. 鈥淏ut the repetition is what I like. I don鈥檛 have to overthink it鈥攋ust spin correctly and throw harder than last time.鈥�
His father agrees that Josh鈥檚 consistency is key. 鈥淗e throws and lifts four to five times a week in season, balancing schoolwork with training,鈥� Jon says. 鈥淲e also plan out sleep, nutrition, and warmups so that when it鈥檚 time to compete, he鈥檚 as ready as possible. It鈥檚 about discipline, and Josh has shown he can balance all of it, even getting straight A鈥檚 last semester.鈥�
Standing Out Among the Best
Josh鈥檚 accomplishments continue to pile up. He is a two-time Palomares League Champion for discus, a two-time Ayala Throws MVP, and a Scholar Athlete award recipient. At USATF Junior Olympics in Savannah, Georgia this past summer, he faced brutal heat and humidity but rose to the occasion.
鈥淗e was in second place going into his last throw,鈥� recalls Jon. 鈥淗e needed a personal record to win. With all the pressure on him, he launched it 180 feet 8 inches, his farthest throw of the season. That moment, it was incredible. As his dad and coach, it made me so proud.鈥�
Josh counts that throw among his favorite memories, along with the 鈥淔at Man Relay,鈥� a throwers-only relay event where he and his teammates surprised everyone by winning a 4×100. 鈥淚t鈥檚 those fun, unexpected moments that make track meets unforgettable,鈥� he says.
Challenges and Motivation
Despite his success, Josh admits his toughest battles aren鈥檛 always physical. 鈥淢y biggest challenge is my mind,鈥� he shares. 鈥淪ometimes at early meets, I feel like I haven鈥檛 woken up yet. To get going, I鈥檒l have an energy drink and half a 3 Musketeers bar before my event. It helps me flip the switch.鈥�
His inspiration also comes from rivalry and friendship. 鈥淭here鈥檚 Ben, one of my teammates. Back in junior high, he thought he was the best thrower, then I came along and broke the school record. Now we push each other. He鈥檚 ahead of me in shot put right now, so I鈥檓 working hard to catch him. It鈥檚 a friendly rivalry, but it motivates me.鈥�
Josh also looks up to Carl Myerscough, a British Olympian and coach. 鈥淐arl鈥檚 one of the biggest and strongest guys you鈥檒l ever meet, but he鈥檚 so down-to-earth. He lets me train with him and gives me advice. That kind of mentorship means a lot.鈥�
Life Beyond the Circle
Outside of athletics, Josh is a self-described 鈥渇unny nerd.鈥� He enjoys drawing and video games, with hopes of becoming an animator. 鈥淎rt is my favorite subject in school. It鈥檚 the one class where I can doodle, and it actually helps my grade,鈥� he jokes. He鈥檚 considering a college path that combines athletics with computer-based animation.
At home, Josh is part of a tight-knit family. His dad, Jon, coaches him, his mom, Jennie, cheers him on, and his younger brothers Jacob and James are following in his footsteps. 鈥淚 coach Jacob in throwing, and he鈥檚 getting really good,鈥� Josh says proudly. The family even has a pet tortoise named Koopa.
Looking Ahead
For the 2026 season, Josh has ambitious goals: 57 feet in shot put, 190 feet in discus, and surpassing his discus distance with the hammer throw. Long-term, he hopes to throw at a Division 1 college, preferably one that offers cooler weather than Georgia鈥檚 sweltering climate.
鈥淭rack and field has something for everyone,鈥� Josh says. 鈥淏ut throwing especially is underrated. I鈥檇 love to see more people try it. It doesn鈥檛 get the spotlight like running events, but it鈥檚 such a fun and rewarding challenge.鈥�
Jon echoes that sentiment. 鈥淎s a father and coach, I鈥檝e watched Josh grow not just in strength but in character. He puts in the work, balances school, and now even coaches his brothers. His dedication sets him apart. And we鈥檙e only just beginning to see what he can achieve.鈥�
With his record-breaking throws, his sharp sense of humor, and his drive to keep improving, Joshua Komrosky is a name the Chino Hills community will be hearing for years to come.
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