Pensa-Johnson Helps Family Once Again Dominate Discus Scene in Hampton Bays

The Hampton Bays girls discus record is back in its rightful place inside the Pensa family.

At the Port Jeff Steeple Fest Plus track and field meet on April 12, sophomore Asha Pensa-Johnson broke the school record with a throw of 117 feet 5 inches, and three times since then, upped the ante by outdoing her own personal best by more than 5 feet. The previous record of 113 feet 6 inches was set by Victoria Moynihan in 2013, but prior to that, Pena-Johnson’s aunt, Cassie Pensa, held the record from 1998 to 2013, when Moynihan surpassed her by just one inch. Pensa-Johnson’s new record now stands at 122 feet 2 inches, set at the St. Anthony’s Invitational at the beginning of May, hitting the state super standard which punched her ticket to the New York State Track and Field Championships, which she competed at last weekend.

“I am extremely proud to continue my family’s high athletic status at Hampton Bays High School,” Pensa-Johnson said. “Taking back the record that my aunt previously held was an amazing feeling that I will remember forever. I hope that I will continue to break records at the school and become a better athlete overall.”

The sophomore began discus throwing at a young age, but did not throw regularly until she was in middle school. Since no sports were being offered at that level during the COVID-19 pandemic, varsity head coach Kevin O’Toole asked her to compete for the track and field team.

“It is absolutely amazing seeing Asha break a record so early in her career, and it’s a testament to the amount of work that she puts in every day,” the coach said. “The possibilities of what she can accomplish in the next two years are endless, and she is on pace to set the bar very high for our future throwers.”

Pensa-Johnson practices with her grandfather, Charlie Pensa, whom she works with almost daily, and began dedicating her time to the sport once she started seeing her potential. But it was talent her grandfather saw all along. And he knows from experience, being the male record-holder for discus and shot put throwing in Hampton Bays for over four decades. He set a discus record of 175 feet 6 inches back 1975, the year he claimed the Suffolk County championship title in both events.

“As Asha grew older, I knew she would be a great discus thrower,” said the grandfather, who went on to throw for and set records at St. John’s University. “She is tall, strong and flexible. When I suggested she try it, I was very happy to hear she was accepting.”

Pensa-Johnson’s mother, Carla, said the family often joked about taking back the record once her daughter began training with her father.

“It’s really cool to see that become a reality,” she said. “I think it’s awesome that Asha and her grandfather have this bonding opportunity together. My dad has always been super passionate about discus and has generously volunteered his time to helping other Hampton Bays athletes over the years. If they were willing to put in the work, he was willing to help. Many of them have found huge success in track and field due to his time and coaching.”

Her sister said the sport has really brought the entire family together.

“I feel very connected to Asha and my dad because this is a passion that we’ve shared together,” Cassie Pensa said. “It’s very unique. It’s not something many families do, so it’s fun to make a name for ourselves in this way. What’s amazing is Asha is still growing and still getting stronger.”

The aunt said she’s seen tremendous improvement in her niece’s form and technique in just the past year alone.

“She’s improved so much, and I still think she has a lot of room to grow,” she said. “I’m excited for what the future holds for her.”

What’s even more rare is that the patriarch is self-taught. Charlie Pensa never had a coach, and learned much of what he knows now from watching film, and decades of trial and error.

“He’s a great coach. He’s very patient, and willing to show up and be there for you when you need him,” Cassie Pensa said. “He’s taught patience, and the idea of having a goal and going for it. He’s focused on personal bests — to work within yourself to be your best self.”

O’Toole said he’s seen all of the benefits of all of that first hand.

“Asha is able to perform best when she has competition,” the coach said. “Her record throw came at the St. Anthony’s Invitational, the largest meet on Long Island, where she threw against 85 other athletes, five of whom threw over 100 feet. She stayed focused, and let the competition bring out the best in her. She was set on having a big day, and it paid off for her.”

The student-athlete said her efforts to remain calm under pressure is what helps her shine the way she has been.

“You’d think to throw that far you’d need to be hyped up and super energized, but I prefer to walk into the circle calmly and contain all my energy and power, and then let it all out when I throw the disc,” Pensa-Johnson said.

And the sophomore has actually proved she can excel at whatever she puts her mind to. Her overall athleticism has led her to be named All-State as a girls volleyball team member, and she was also tabbed All-League in basketball.

“Asha is a tremendous athlete who, at times, doesn’t even realize her full potential,” her mother said. “I am so proud of how much she has already accomplished at such a young age. I hope she will continue to succeed at doing the things she loves.”

Charlie Pensa said when he and his granddaughter began working together, he told her that if she could throw 10 feet further each year, she could surpass 140 feet by the time she reaches her senior year.

“That would make her one of the top throwers in the state,” the grandfather said. “And her progression has been on pace to achieve that.”

Pensa-Johnson said the hope is to help her family dominate the discus scene for decades more to come.

“I did not believe that I would break the record, especially not in my sophomore year, but my grandpa was really my biggest motivation. All I wanted to do was to make him proud,” Pensa-Johnson said. “Breaking the school record had always been the reason that kept me going, but now that I have achieved that, I will push myself to top my own record every time I throw.”