TOLEDO, Ohio — There typically aren't many options for martial artists within high schools.
But a new club started at Central Catholic this year has provided more opportunities and sophomore Luke Andrews is taking full advantage.
"I joined it when it became a thing. It wasn't my idea but I was one of the first members," Andrews said. "My mom and my brother did it and they both have their black belts in Shotokan karate so they put me into it as a real young kid. I guess I had a talent for it and I liked it."
Andrews has his black belt in Shotokan as well. But most recently, he placed first at the tournament of champions for Jiu-Jitsu for the Martial Arts Club, making him the club's first-ever gold medalist.
He said his background in wrestling helped with the feat.
"It was my first Jiu-Jitsu tournament so I was a little nervous I guess but I mean obviously it's similar to wrestling so I've got the same mindset, just go in, do what I need to do to win," Andrews said. "It means a lot just because I think I'm one of the first ones to compete in a tournament from the club so I think it's a big step in getting an actual team going rather than just a club."
Andrews hopes his achievement will help build people's interest in the club as it teaches many beneficial life lessons.
"I'm hoping that just for the club program that it can get more people interested in it because it is fun," Andrews said. "But it's also teaching those important life skills: respect, maybe obedience but humility as well."
Additionally, he hopes to use it to improve in wrestling in order to make a long run next season.
"For my high school career I really hope that doing the Jiu-Jitsu more is going to help my wrestling because that's one of my goals," Andrews said. "Next year I want to try and be in the finals of every wrestling tournament I'm at."
Luke Andrews from Central Catholic is our Athlete of the Week sponsored by Dave's Running.