Top-ranked Luke James happy to be back at Edison

MILAN TWP. — Luke James didn't know what to expect when he reported for school this year at Edison High School. James had been away for two years, chasing his wrestling dreams at national powerhouse Graham. It didn't take the accomplished athlete long to find out that things hadn't changed much in his hometown. "It was pretty cool. I didn't know how receptive people would be for me coming back," James said. "I walked in the halls and everyone kind of embraced me. It was like I never left." James, a junior, is Ohio's top-ranked 175-pound wrestler in Division III. He earn fifth- and third-place finishes in Division II in the two most recent state tournaments. James open-enrolled at Graham — a rural school located in Champaign County, more than three hours south of Milan — and was living with the family of state champion Gunner Cramblett. But he was homesick. "Halfway through last season I was thinking about maybe coming back because I was struggling being away from home," James said. "I was living with a teammate down there and it wasn't the right situation for me mentally." James discussed moving back north with his parents, Jeff and LaTonya. The decision was finalized over the summer. "I wanted to be home," he said. "I have only two years left with my family and want to make the most of it." James' dad broke the news to Edison wrestling coach Davy Hermes, who was happy to add another state-level athlete to his wrestling room. "Every family has to make a decision that they feel is best for themselves and their kids," Hermes said. "We've obviously had plenty of kids come here to be part of this program. We're very successful at what we do and work hard." James is no stranger to hard work. Graham wrestles a national schedule and always is the team to beat at state in Division II. "Their room's a lot more intense," James said. "Obviously it's a program with a lot of great history." James went 42-10 as a freshman and finished fifth in the state at 165 pounds. Last year, he dropped down to 157 and went 39-8. He took third at state, losing a one-point decision in the semifinals to eventual D-II champion Kaden King from Medina Buckeye. James dominated his other four opponents in Columbus, recording two pins and two technical falls. "Great kid, hard worker," Hermes said. "He's obviously coming to us very, very talented. We think he's as good as anybody in the state, not just in Division III." James considered enrolling at St. Mary Central Catholic for his freshman year before settling on Graham. His little brother, Ben, is a freshman this year at SMCC and is ranked No. 6 at 144 pounds in Division III. James is a powerful wrestler and has plenty of quality around him in Edison's room. He drills with 190-pounder Cy Finnen and 165-pounder Kohen Horvath, who also is ranked No. 1 in the state. Both are physical wrestlers who aren't afraid to mix it up on the mat. "Cy gives a good, strong explosive feel," James said. "Kohen is strong and powerful, pretty much everything you need in a good partner. He pushes me every day." James, in turn, wants to push the Chargers, who should contend for a team title in a few months. "I'm hoping I can bring the leadership skills I learned (at Graham) up here and help make everyone better," James said. "Staying healthy is the biggest thing. It's a long season. If you're not healthy you can't compete at your highest level." James began the season 5-0 with four pins and a 6-0 decision in the finals of last Saturday's Edison Invitational. He was surrounded by friends and family, including old buddies Horvath and Marcus Medina. "They were some of my best friends growing up so it's nice to be able to come back and compete with them," James said. "Me and (Medina) went to Safety Town together before preschool. We've been friends ever since." James is constantly working on his craft, whether it's at practice at Edison or during private lessons two days a week with an assistant coach at Ashland University. It's all part of his plan to get to the top of the podium at the Schottenstein Center. "I'm pretty good with re-attacks. Neutral isn't my best position," James said. "I'm probably best on the mat, turning people, pinning them. I'm hoping to improve on my neutral game and get a bunch of takedowns." James lives about a mile from the high school and says being able to see his family every day is "the best part, for sure." He said he has no problem making weight and is partial to his mom's tortellini alla panna. "I'm back in my hometown and my home school. Graham was a great place, but it wasn't working out," James said. "It's nice to be able to come home to my family every day and hug my dad and mom before I go to bed, tell them I love them."