Aaron Brooks named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Aaron Brooks (Hagerstown, Md./Penn State) has been named the USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week on November 29, 2023.
Brooks, a three-time NCAA champion, defeated 2023 NCAA runner-up Tanner Sloan of South Dakota State, 11-2 at 197 pounds at the NWCA All-Star Classic held at Rec Hall on the Penn State campus on Nov. 21. Brooks was ranked No. 1 and Sloan ranked No. 2 at 197 pounds coming into the match. Brooks has moved up a weight class this year for the college season.
Brooks scored the only three takedowns of the match, and added an escape and riding time. Sloan was only able to get two escapes in the match.
Brooks has won the last three NCAA titles (2021-2023) and was an NWCA All-American in 2020 when the NCAA Championships were cancelled. He seeks a fourth NCAA title this year. Brooks is currently No. 2 on the Senior Freestyle National Team, reaching Final X in 2023. He is a two-time age-group World champion, winning a U23 World title in 2023 and a U17 World title in 2017. He was also a U20 World silver medalist in 2018. Brooks was a four-time Maryland state champion for North Hagerstown High School and spent a year as an EAP athlete at the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center prior to going to college.
To nominate a wrestler for this honor please email the athlete's name, wrestling program, weekly accomplishments, and career accolades to communications@usawrestling.org.