This summer held two surprises for Old Rochester senior and track athlete Josh Winsper.

On Saturday, the Rochester resident was named a 2015 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field High School All-American for shot put.

Winsper is one of 66 people selected. This is the sixth year that U.S. Paralympics, a division of the United States Olympic Committee, has honored the top high school track athletes with Paralympic-eligible impairments.

Winsper was born with achondroplasia, a growth disorder that affects the body’s ability to produce cartilage that results in dwarfism. The 17-year-old athlete’s height is 4 feet, 6 inches.

The All-Star athletes were chosen based on multiple performances. Winsper was ranked eight out of eight. The ranking is not conventional as results are weighted according to level and type of disability.

The announcement followed a record breaking effort Winsper put forth at the National Junior Disability Games held on July 25 in New Jersey.

For the discus event, Winsper threw for 72 feet, 9 inches, breaking the previous record of 71 feet.

He surprised himself, after struggling earlier in the day during the shot put competition.

“The lady who was keeping score said, ‘Oh, you broke a National Junior record,’” Winsper said. “It was interesting to see how that turned out. I was shocked.”

Athletic Director Bill Tilden and his wife Cindy, who coaches at ORR, witnessed the throw as did Winsper’s parents.

Winsper credited Tilden for getting him interested in track and field.

“I came in as a baseball guy, but Bill recruited me and I went out for track as a freshman and loved it,” Winsper said. “I’ve been competing ever since.”

Winsper competes in winter and spring track and cross country.

His athletic efforts have not gone unnoticed by the U.S. Paralympics team.

In late August, team officials approached Winsper and his family about having him compete.

“My ultimate goal is to become a Paralympic athlete,” Winsper said, but added that the decision wouldn’t be taken lightly.

Training would start around the time that finals take place at ORR.

“It would be difficult to take that time off,” he said. “It’s a decision that needs to be talked about with my family, teachers and coaches.”

Whether or not he joins the team, Winsper said he was grateful for being considered.

“This Paralympics stuff is kind of like a bonus,” he said.

Now, he’s focused on going to college to become a physical trainer.

“I would like to become a weight trainer for the Red Sox, Bruins or another professional sports team,” he said. “That’s my dream job.”