“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” – Jeremiah 29:11

Hope

“Hope.”  A noun for:  a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.  When I asked wrestling Olympian Aaron Brooks what his success meant to his hometown of Hagerstown, MD he answered with that one word, “Hope.”  Hagerstown, famous for being the host to Willie Mays pro baseball debut, DuckPin bowling, a transportation hub and now… Home of wrestling great Aaron Brooks. 

Hub City and the Heroin Highway

Hagerstown, in its heyday, built planes and automobiles, bottled soda, made ice cream and shoes and was the world’s largest manufacturer of pipe organs. Fast forward to 2018, when Baltimore Magazine labeled Hagerstown as a “small town with big city problems, continually in survival mode.”  At the time, the city had a “higher poverty rate than Baltimore, a higher percentage of people under 65 with a disability, lower home-ownership rates, and a lower percentage of its workforce with college degrees.”  Then, it also had eight homicides, putting its per capita murder rate past Chicago and Philadelphia.  Once a mechanical and blue-collar town, Hagerstown has struggled with an opioid epidemic that in 2016 saw 113 prescriptions for opioids written for every 100 residents. 

Billed Hub City because of its most unique attribute (its transportation infrastructure) and its relation to convenient highway systems, having a roundhouse for major railways and even having the C&O Canal.  Today, the disappearance of the railroad, the canal long defunct, has seen the highway labeled as the “Heroin Highway.” Former Mayor Emily Keller said, “Hope or Heroin out here.”

Enter Aaron Brooks.  Enter Hope.  

Born and raised in Hagerstown, MD, minutes from where now torn down Pangborn Industries resided from 1904-2008.  The founder of that company, Thomas Pangborn, created his home near the factory and dubbed it “Journey’s End”. Aaron was born on June 15, 2000.  Aaron’s journey began at a local wrestling club headed by the Police Athletic League in 2005.  At a young age Brooks showed a mindset geared toward greatness.  After taking third at a tournament in 2006, Aaron saw an opponent carrying a larger trophy and confessed to his father, John Brooks, that he wanted that.  “You want the big trophy?” his dad asked.  “No, I want to be the greatest,” answered a determined Aaron. 

The next day, preparations for the pursuit of greatness began.  “My dad took me serious.”  Aaron and his older brother Isaiah began living and breathing wrestling.  John immediately put both boys on a training regime of pushups and pull-ups similar to what college football great Herschel Walker used.  His dad also brought home a Cael Sanderson instruction video. The Brooks began watching it in a synthesized state. The boys were still boys and had time for video games (especially Mario Cart and Minecraft.), but only after their workouts were finished. 

Gradually, Aaron began to see success locally and then nationally.  His father, always looking for ways to inspire him, used King Kong as a way to motivate him.  After a tournament, the Brooks went to see the newest King Kong, and after seeing his usually stoic son Aaron cry where Kong dies, John used that to motivate a young Aaron.  “They killed King Kong,” pointing to Aaron’s upcoming opponent.  

Help from a Neighbor

The Brooks family began to look to Pennsylvania, the hotbed for amateur wrestling, for support on their quest for greatness. The Mason-Dixon Line is only 14 minutes from the heart of Hagerstown.  Long known as a national power in wrestling, Pennsylvania also is home to some of the most respected wrestling clubs in the nation.  The Brooks began to attend TYW in Mercersburg and Renegade Wrestling in Shippensburg. Both generations of Brooks were learning together.  John did not have a wrestling background but had boxed and kickboxed and knew how to compete.  Early on, they knew in order to reach their goals they needed the competition and support of the wrestling community in PA. 

They began to compete in tournaments where they weren’t known (yet).  John would fill out the forms that asked for the wrestlers’ resume but would only put for his sons, “They are pretty good wrestlers.’  By the end of those tournaments, it was well known that his sons were indeed “pretty good wrestlers.”  

Aaron even began to train and compete in MMA at Tactical Combat in Greencastle, PA. There, it sparked an early interest in mixed martial arts.  

Setting a World Record

Aaron never relied on weight training in his preparation for greatness.  John helped run an alternative school at South Hagerstown High School.  His students knew of Aaron’s wrestling feats and pulled out a Guinness World Record book for a raw bench press for a nine year old.  John confidently said, “Aaron could do that.”  That night, with some wobbles and wiggles, Aaron hit that mark.  

Then, after a few weeks of training and understanding the balance of bench press, Aaron set the world mark of 92 pounds in 2010. 

A Tattoo Bargain

When Aaron was 12, during one of his many workout sessions at Renegade Force in Shippensburg, he looked from instruction and again noticed coach Chris Bentley’s calf tattoo.  “Coach, are you going to let me get that tattoo?”  Bentley, a former Army Ranger and, at the time, wrestling coach at Trinity High School, answered with, “If you win 3 state championships, well… wait… you’re in Maryland, make that 4 state championships you can get this tattoo.”  

*Bentley passed away unexpectedly at the age of 46 in 2017.  Aaron won his fourth MD state title the following year. Not too long after that win, Aaron got his former coach’s tattoo on his left arm.  

Staying at Home

With success at the elementary and junior levels, Aaron had other choices to take his talent to other schools and areas that were known for high school wrestling.  To Aaron and the Brooks family, the choice was clear: Coach Greg Slick from North Hagerstown was their coach.  

“You may never learn a wrestling move from me, but I’m going to make you a better man,” Slick told Aaron in one of their first meetings.  Slick, himself, didn’t come with much of a wrestling background, having been more of a football player that was wanting to use wrestling to keep himself in shape.  A nagging football injury sidelined Slick for his first varsity injury and the program was eventually dissolved after his sophomore season. After graduating from North High, he went to Frostburg to pursue a teaching degree.  Slick found his way back to North as a PE and taught Physical Education for 41 years at North Hagerstown High School.  He took over the reinstated wrestling program in 1979.

“Everyone knows Coach Slick.  That’s what most impressed me when I was younger.  Coach never had a cell phone or was on social media, but everyone knew him.  I love going places with him and seeing how admired he is, “ Brooks told us in a recent interview.  “I’ve never heard anyone say anything negative about Coach, either.” 

*Slick was in Aaron’s corner for four state titles and also sat in Aaron’s brother Isaiah’s corner for his state title. Greg Slick was regularly in attendance at some of Aaron’s biggest college matches, and at the time of writing this,  was in Paris with his wife Nora to see Aaron compete in the 2024 Olympics. 

National and International Success

In 2016, Aaron won his first elusive “Stop Sign” at Fargo.  Brooks went into the tournament as unknown, having jumped several weight classes at the conclusion of the high school season. Aaron turned the wrestling world on its head with his now signature ankle pick and answered a lot of questions about his ability to make the jump.  On his long drive home, John Brooks received a text message of a screenshot from Renegade club coach Chris Bentley.  The message was from Coach Cael Sanderson asking Bentley, “Aaron Brooks.  Where have you been hiding this kid?”

The following year, Fargo awaited again.  This time, he’d be competing without Coach Bentley, who had just passed away weeks earlier.  Standing in his way was the national number one Trent Hidlay from Mifflin County, PA.  Hidlay had laid waste to his side of the bracket, dominating anyone that got in his way.  Aaron fought battles on portion of the bracket and narrowly edged a future NCAA champion in the quarters and then edged a formidable opponent 8-6 in the semifinals.  Going into the finals, Aaron had tweaked his back and admittedly hadn’t wrested his best matches so far in the tournament.  Well, that was about to change.

Hidlay had the mantra B2W (Born to Win), which he wrote over his tapped wrestling shoes.  He had also outscored his opponents 66-0 so far at Fargo.  Hidlay had a lot of things going for him, but he didn’t have John Brooks.  John, having learned the art of scouting from his boxing days, had watched Hidlay brutalize his opponents, bullying them around the circle and forcing his will on them.  John and Aaron knew that Hidlay wasn’t going to outhorse Aaron, but they wanted an answer for his rushes.  The answer was a leg sweep that John had seen another wrestler use, and the elder Brooks immediately asked a coach at mat side to go over it with his son.  Ten minutes before the match, the coach let John know that Aaron seemed to have it.  Seemed to have it he did as he used the leg sweep several times, widening the score to an eventual technical fall 36 seconds into the second period.  

The 2016 Freestyle title wasn’t a fluke; Aaron Brooks had arrived.  

Brooks was an alternate that summer for the U17 World Championship Team.  Aaron had lost to returning world medalist Travis Wittlake.  Aaron was an alternate for the championships in Athens, Greece and was ready when Wittlake had to bow out because of an ankle injury.  Brooks had packed an American flag at the bottom of his luggage “just in case” it was needed in a post-match celebration.  It was and the image adorned North Hagerstown gymnasium in an oversized banner after Aaron was crowned world champ. 

After an injury during his senior year, Brooks was able to return to collect his 4th MD State Title.  That summer, he was again part of a Cadet World Team this time on the U20 roster.  This time it was silver in Slovakia for Aaron.  Being the youngest in the bracket, Aaron met the strength of several season world veterans.  Brooks walked away with a new perspective:  “It’s time to really step it up. I feel like if I would have won that match, I’d be happy and everything. But then, when I got back to the practice room, I wouldn’t be as motivated to get better. You know, it’s disappointing, but it’s part of that journey to get to that Olympic gold. … I can accept second place this time around.”

Post High School

Brooks committed to Penn State in 2018 with the understanding that he was going to take an Olympic Redshirt with a delayed start to his collegiate career by taking the year to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO. The following year, Aaron made his way to Happy Valley and admittedly was overwhelmed.  His grandfather, Bob Brooks, gave him keen advice in terms of who to surround himself with.  Over time, Aaron found his circle and developed a great support system in State College.  

“I needed to surround myself with people that wanted to be better,” Brooks confided.  Aaron roomed with wrestlers Baylor Shunk of Penns Valley, Paul Feite of Northern York and Donovan Ball of Cedar Cliff from a house that they rented from wrestler Nick Lee’s family.  Aaron said some of his best days are with family and friends. “Just being present at a meal with family or friends.  Those are my best days,” Aaron answered when asked what is a day he’d like to replay. 

The Ultimate Teammate

When asked who his favorite practice partner is/was, Brooks answered with automaticity, “Donovan Ball.”  Ball has made a career out of being a great teammate.  Always available for drill or help making weight.  (At this year’s NCAA Championships, Ball can be seen during Aaron’s match videoing AB like a proud parent.)  Ball had a respectable athletic career but will be remembered for his contributions as a teammate. Currently, Ball is in Paris with Aaron, helping him prepare for the Olympic tournament. 

Penn State coach Cael Sanderson starts every practice with either an analogy, a story or a bible verse.  Sitting in the bleachers, his athletes listen to thoughtful messages that help with mindset and character molding.  Sanderson fosters a culture of patience, presence and perseverance.  It’s rare to see a Penn State wrestler lose to the same opponent twice, and through a loss true knowledge and experience is gained.  Coach Sanderson inspires and helps to facilitate attributes that will not only help his wrestlers perform athletically, but spiritually. 

At this year’s NCAA Championships, Heavyweight Greg Kerkvielt mentioned that he and his teammates participated in a Bible study before the finals. 

Finding Faith

Four National Titles and U23 World Championship are unbelievable accomplishments, and few have resumes one point from that list of achievements, but Aaron lists his best achievement in “Finding God.  Finding the truth.”  Brooks has spoken of his watershed moment of becoming born again after winning his first national championship.  He was moved to tears and found himself on the floor of his home, overcome with emotion.  Aaron acknowledges that he has a God-given gift that he believes was given to him to give him a platform to testify about God.  Brooks regularly and freely speaks of his Christ, whether it be in conversation, Youtube or on ESPN.

Why NEGLEY’S

“People often ask how many NIL deals I had and I always answered just one,”  Aaron said.  “There were other options, but after praying on it, getting to know you guys and seeing what you guys do in the community, I knew it would be the right fit.  It’s rare to find a company that believes the same as you do and won’t try to censor the truth about God’s Grace.”  Aaron also mentioned the NEGLEY’S water treatment equipment that was at his former residence.  “It was great.  I loved being able to go to my sink and not have to worry about what was coming out of the tap.  I didn’t realize what a softener would do, but my skin and my roommates cleared up within weeks after its installation.”  

*Aaron and his roommates had a reverse osmosis drinking water system at their sink and then a city water softener that removes chlorine and softened the municipal water of State College.  

Future Plans

“I’ve seen great athletes come out of Hagerstown, but fall short because of outside influence.  I want to show them that there is hope.  I want to show them that something good can come out of Hagerstown,” Brooks mentioned during a recent interview.  After another round on the Olympic wrestling circuit in 2028 (but at 97kg), Aaron would like to try coaching or maybe “dabbling” in MMA.  I said, “You aren’t just putting one toe in the water, you’re going to be all in.”  Other future plans would be to help his hometown.  “After wrestling, I want to return to Hagerstown to help foster positive change,’ says Brooks.  Obviously, he wants to coach, but he always wants to help facilitate opioid counseling and rehabilitation.  

The Comeback

The last fifty years have been hard on Hagerstown, but like Aaron Brooks, it’s learned from its losses.  Hagerstown has hope.  The mechanical, blue-collar town that once helped build America has found new ways to succeed.  Warehouses have sprouted all up and down the so-called “Heroine Highway”.  Dormant buildings that were once a reminder of past success have been remodeled and revitalized.  Mertius Stadium anchors downtown and hosts the hometown baseball team, the Flying Boxcars. At night it signs like a beacon of the future promise Hagerstown has. It’s not where Hagerstown has been or even where it’s at, but where it’s going.  

When asked what advice he’d offer his 15-year-old self, Aaron stated, “Wrestling isn’t everything.  Wrestling doesn’t define you.”  I’d have to agree with him, because… Hope is everything.  Aaron defines his hometown.  Capable, teachable and promising.  

Thomas Pangborn’s “Journey’s End” was in Hagerstown; Aaron’s journey started here and is far from over. Aaron’s going to keep climbing mountains; he’s going to keep providing hope.   It was said that if Pangborn wrote it down, consider it done. You can bet if Thomas Pangborn was still around he would write, “Aaron will make Hagerstown proud.”

Aaron, Hagerstown will be ready to welcome you back from Paris with a medal or without.  You’ve made us proud before you ever set foot on an Olympic mat, but for good measure… Go get ‘em, Champ.

*Post Olympic follow up: