University Park, Pa. — When it comes to Penn State wrestling, things are ever-changing. From starters to injuries, fans can always expect the unexpected this season, but despite all the uncertainty, one thing never falters: Aaron Brooks' smile.
As a four-time Maryland state champion with a compiled record of 163-2, Brooks has always been an ideal steal for the Nittany Lions – adding experience, positivity and even a year of Olympic training to their repertoire.
But starting the season with a stacked lineup of three returning sixth-year seniors, Brooks opted instead for a redshirt and a little more time to perfect is craft.
After a huge upset in which the No. 5 Arizona State Sun Devils defeat the No. 1 Nittany Lions 19-18, the team needed a saving grace – preferably one with the training and tenacity of the 184-pound freshman. Stepping into the weight class once occupied by All-American Shakur Rasheed, Brooks knew he had to perform.
"After Arizona State, some of the guys on the team texted me telling me that I have some exciting things coming in the future. The coaches always tell us to be ready though, so when Coach Cael (Sanderson) texted me, I hopped on the opportunity," Brooks said. "I knew I was ready and I was tired of waiting. I figured I'm ready now, so let's do it."
In his debut match against Lehigh, Brooks impressed the crowd with a 10-5 decision, securing a coveted spot in Penn State's starting lineup.
"There's really no pressure to perform well. You want to make the people that helped you get here happy too because everybody's putting time and effort into me," Brooks said. "I want to win, but if I don't, they understand and encourage me to bounce back."
The decision to forgo his redshirt and enter the lineup after a year at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center posed a significant challenge for Brooks. He had been a year out of dual-meet action and had to transition back from the freestyle matches he had gotten used to.
"Colorado taught me a lot of stuff before I even came here," Brooks said. "When I came into this room, I already had the positive mindset of knowing I'm not going to be killing everybody in here, but I will be learning from everybody. It really prepared me for this year and years to come."
But the daunting journey from high school, to the Olympic Training Center, to the top of the Nittany Lion totem pole didn't come easy.
"I was 18 at the time, so just being out there by myself at a young age was the hardest part. The toughest thing is going from one mat room to another," Brooks said. "It was a tough year, but I'm really grateful for that. It taught me a lot about myself and a lot about being away from home. I learned how to be more mature and really grow up."
Luckily, Brooks – known for his easy-going, positive personality – found the motivation to succeed in the smallest of forms.
"Most of my role models aren't even wrestlers," Brooks said. "One thing that I do a lot is I'm easily motivated by anything. I can see someone going to work that day and I'm thinking, 'If they go to work, then I should go to work.' I try to take things from anybody. If you're hustling I respect it."
When he's not wrestling, Brooks is hanging out with friends, dorm-hopping and playing cards as a stress reliever from the pressures of being a part of the No. 2 team in the nation.
"I try to laugh as much as I can. If you see me, I'm always trying to laugh or smile, which relieves stress throughout the day. That's my biggest key to success: being goofy," Brooks said. "I just tell myself that this is a learning experience. I've lost before, so I try not to be so hard on myself, even though naturally I will be. But when things get tough, I'm going to go even harder."
With the United States Olympic Trials on the horizon, Brooks' performance throughout the remainder of the season will be crucial in determining a spot on the Olympic team.
"When you focus on the wrong things, then things will start to go wrong," Brooks said. "But if your eager to learn and get better, then the story will write itself."
