Aston Realizes Dream as Two-Sport Athlete
Aston Realizes Dream as Two-Sport Athlete
By J. Chris Roselius, NFLHS.com
Since his junior year, James Aston knew he was going to participate in college athletics once his high school career was over. Aston never faced a lack of offers, as plenty of schools were interested in his talents. His problem, however, was the offers were often for only one sport - not an ideal situation when you are a two-sport star.
Aston, who attended Katy High School, which is located in the Houston suburb of Katy, was a standout football player and wrestler for the Tigers. On the football field, Aston led the Tigers to the 2003 Class 5A Division II title by rushing for 2,179 yards and 24 touchdowns. As a senior in 2004, Aston, who combines speed with a powerful running style, added another 2,428 yards rushing and 21 touchdowns to become the school's all-time leading rusher.
But Aston is also an excellent wrestler. Taking advantage of his exceptional balance, quickness and strength, the 5-9, 220-pound Aston won three consecutive state wrestling titles in three different weight classifications. After finishing fifth at the state tournament as a freshman, Aston won the state title in 2003 at 171 pounds, 2004 at 189 pounds and 2005 at 215 pounds. He won 107 straight matches, including a 43-0 mark this past season, going undefeated from 2003-05. For his career, Aston was 134-4.
Recruiters from around the country showed interested in Aston, but a lot of interest dwindled when it became apparent Aston wanted to continue participating in both sports on the collegiate level.
"I received a lot of letters and calls, but a lot of coaches stopped calling when I would tell them I wanted to do both sports," Aston said. "A lot of coaches don't want to share players in college.
"But I just love both sports. I just can't picture my life without both sports right now. If that kept me from going to some college, then I just tried to find one where I could do both sports. It is tough to lose a college that is interested in you."
In the end, Aston decided Ohio State was the right choice for him.
"At Ohio State, the football coaches and the wrestling coaches knew my situation, and they encouraged me to do both sports," Aston said. "That was really big for me to get that support. Plus, I already know a lot of the wrestlers there. I have talked to them and they will be there when I arrive, so I know I won't be lonely."
Aston seems to be a natural fit for Ohio State. The Buckeyes run an offense that is very similar to what the Katy Tigers run - a power running game in which they try to control the clock. Aston is likely to redshirt his freshman year as a wrestler, but the football coaching staff has told Aston he has a shot to earn playing time this fall. Sophomore Antonio Pittman is the leading returning rusher for the Buckeyes, gaining 403 yards on 72 carries last season in 11 games.
"In wrestling, I will redshirt, but not for football, and that was huge," Aston said. "They don't really have a starting running back right now."
Probably the hardest adjustment Aston will have to make at Ohio State is not being near his family. The Aston family is a very close-knit unit that enjoys being around each other, and the departure of James to Ohio State will be tough.
"Getting ready for your oldest child to leave for college is horrendous," said Aston's mother, Cori. "Not a day goes that I know it is one less day for James to be here. Once he leaves, he will be gone, since he won't return until next summer due to football and wrestling. I think it will be tough on James as well. But he is an outgoing person who can make friends easily."
Aston already may be ahead of many freshmen when it comes to making friends. Thanks to his summer wrestling schedule, he already knows several members of the Ohio State wrestling team. But that doesn't mean leaving home at the end of July will be easy.
"I don't want to leave so early," Aston said. "It is going to be really hard to leave my family. We are all very close and like being with each other. But I think (going to Ohio State) is the right thing to do. I think it will be good for me to be away in the long run."
While Aston is looking forward to the next stage of his life as a college athlete and student, without question, he is happy the recruiting business is over for him. Without the help of his parents, he is not sure he would have been able to get through the whole process.
"My parents have supported me 100 percent," Aston said. "And without them, I don't know what I would have done. If a person is in this situation, they should definitely seek help from their parents or coaches or whoever. Without any help, it is impossible to get anything done. My parents have helped guide me in my decision, but they let me make the final decision."
