HAGERSTOWN – Many have proclaimed “it takes a village” when reaching a major accomplishment.
But Aaron Brooks holds himself to a higher standard.
To him, it takes a kingdom.
Embracing his faith continues to be the major component that drives Brooks to all his success and objectives, including his march as one of the most decorated wrestlers.
“Amen,” Brooks said.
He reached a pinnacle last summer when he won a bronze medal for the United States at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The next one came closer to home.
Brooks, the North Hagerstown graduate who has risen to the heights of his sport through high school, college and internationally, received his latest honor on Saturday with his induction as part of the 2025 class for the Washington County Sports Hall of Fame, something he accepted humbly and bashfully.
Inductees were given 15 minutes for acceptance speeches. Brooks’ comments took just 54 seconds.
“When I first heard I was getting inducted to the Hall of Fame, my initial thought was it was going to be tough. I’m really bad at accepting awards. And then they told me I had 15 minutes to speak. I said, we’ll see how that goes,” he joked while addressing the crowd.
“As I reflected more and just really taught about it, I feel this isn’t about me. It’s about those before me and those who come after me. I’m very grateful that Washington County views me as someone to be looked up to … and um … Thank you guys.”
Afterwards, Brooks gave a more private clarification.
“I’m very honored,” Brooks said. “It’s not about me … it’s more about those who came before and the next generation.
“I know it’s not a ‘Me’ thing. I know many people have put time and sacrifices into this. I think it’s a great accomplishment for all of us for all those who have been part of my journey in this county and in my life.”
One of those “many people” was Brooks’ high school wrestling coach Greg Slick, who joined him Saturday as one of the newest inductees. Slick earned his induction with a highly successful 45-year career with a state championship, inclusions to the Maryland and national Wrestling Hall of Fames capped by coaching a long line of successes, including Brooks.
Cheryl Wilkes, who was the starting point for building a volleyball dynasty and championing the women’s sports movement at Williamsport, and Jerry Spessard, a sports equipment inventor and entrepreneur, rounded out the induction class.
Beat of his drum
Brooks has shown the ability to lead by example. His actions have spoken much louder at the young age of 25.
After a dominant career at North Hagerstown, Brooks attended Penn State and became one of only seven college wrestlers to win four NCAA titles through 2024. He posted an 89-3 record at PSU, with multiple All-American honors. He went undefeated as a senior and was named Big Ten wrestler of the year.
He was the Outstanding Wrestler at 2024 NCAA Tournament, won the Hodge Award – wrestling’s version of the Heisman Trophy – and claimed four Big Ten championships.
Brooks’ pursuits moved him into freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling. He competed, earning a number of national and international titles and trained at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., leading up to the Olympics.
It all started at North Hagerstown, where he amassed a 163-2 record while wrestling for North Hagerstown, where he was awarded four letters and was a three-time team captain. A four-time Maryland State 3A-4A champion – each at different weight classes – along with quadruple titles at the Washington County, 3A-4A West Region and NHSCA National Championship tournaments.
“I absolutely (think back to my North Hagerstown days),” he said. “It was a lot fun back then. Time flies.”
New flight pattern
Now, Brooks is resetting, recalibrating and reaffirming himself before making the next move in his career.
He believes his plan for his life is destined for more to experience.
“I think just knowing there is a constant pursuit to be the best person and best wrestler I can be,” Brooks said of his mindset. “There’s not really any limit on that.
“From the outside, it may seem I’ve achieved a lot. I still view there is always something to be done, even if it is just one percent. I just think constant pursuit and that’s in everything in my faith and wrestling.”
Brooks moved out of the wrestling spotlight for a bit after the Olympics.
He is currently working his way back after from a respiratory infection, resulting in a bout of with double pneumonia that hospitalized him for four days.
Through it all, perspective and belief keep Aaron Brooks moving forward for his life and wrestling career.
“It’s about not making things bigger than they are,” he said. “I think the more highs and lows we create in our own life, the more of a dropoff. The Olympics was fun, but once again, it’s not the highest thing in my life. That’s my faith. It keeps me grounded. It keeps me motivated.
“God willing, I’ll work on one more Olympic cycle, and then I’ll see where I’ll go from there. I’m just looking at changing the color of the medal. If I do, cool. If I don’t, cool.”
