Top California Throwers Set to Clash at John Godina Invitational in Sherman Oaks

Sherman Oaks, CA — When the sun rises Saturday over Notre Dame High School, the nation’s deepest collection of high-school throwers will already be warming up inside the circle. The John Godina Throwers Invitational—now in its 2026 edition—has become the unofficial opening bell for California’s outdoor season, and this year’s entry sheet reads like a state-meet preview.

Bo Ausmus, the Redondo Union senior committed to Fresno State football, will put his California-leading 18.36 m (60-3) shot-put mark on the line against a field that includes No. 2 state-ranked Drew Harisay of Etiwanda (18.17 m/59-7.5) and Palos Verdes’ Kaviani Carlson, who sits fourth at 17.53 m (57-6). Ayala junior Joshua Komrosky—already No. 4 in the discus at 53.26 m (174-9) and No. 6 in the shot—will try to defend the top-sophomore crown he claimed last spring.

On the girls’ side, Jaslene Massey of Aliso Niguel arrives with the state’s best pair of early-season throws: 15.65 m (51-4) in the shot and 54.84 m (179-11) in the discus—marks that also place her No. 1 nationally in the discus and No. 2 in the shot. Villa Park’s Chloe Hudson (11.99 m/39-4 shot, 41.33 m/135-7 discus) and Arroyo Grande’s Chloe Bronson (10.91 m/35-9.5 shot, 36.27 m/119-0 discus) are expected to push Massey in both events.

Notre Dame will showcase its own arsenal. Senior Jordan Peck (16.12 m/52-10.5 shot, 48.03 m/157-7 discus) and junior Palmer Connery (15.93 m/52-3 shot, 45.82 m/150-4 discus) give the host school two ranked athletes on their home circle—fitting for a program that has captured 11 of the school’s 12 CIF team titles since throws coach Nick Garcia took over in 2003.

Garcia, a two-time Big Sky shot-put champion at Cal State Northridge and current World Athletics Level-5 coach, designed the meet to mimic the pressure of championship week. “We don’t share the stage with running events,” Garcia said. “Every flight, every attempt, is under the spotlight.”

The invitational, named after four-time World Champion and former UCLA Bruin John Godina, has already become a selection meet for April’s Arcadia Invitational. Performances recorded Saturday will ripple through the California leaderboard and could determine seeding for the CIF Masters meet and the State Championships in Clovis.

Competition begins at 10 a.m. PST and will stream live on the Clovis North Track & Field Instagram page. With rankings still fluid and personal-bests still soft, one big series in either circle could redraw the map for the entire 2026 season.