Aaron Brooks, a member of the Penn State wrestling team, won the national wrestling championship in his weight class for the fourth year in a row in March of 2024. Then, after that amazing victory, he followed it up with an epic win at the 2024 US Olympic Trials, a victory that means he’ll have the opportunity to compete on the American team in the Olympics.
The Christian Tribune, reporting on the collegiate tournament at the time it occurred, the tournament in which Brooks and a fellow wrestler wore “100% Jesus” headbands and then managed to win the tournament in their weight classes, amazing victories, noted:
The tournament went exceptionally well for both Brooks and Carr, both of whom managed to win in their weight classes. Joining him with a victory was a Penn State teammate, Carter Starocci. Making their dual victories all the more amazing is that both young men, Brooks and Starocci, both became four-time champions when they won the Saturday night tournament. In doing so, they joined a small group of four-time winners, one that includes their Penn State coach, Cael Sanderson.
Speaking about his win, Brooks made sure to put the focus on God, saying that the Holy Spirit keeps him in the right mental space during his matches. “It might be boring – it’s the truth, It’s the Lord, the Holy Spirit,” Brooks said. Continuing, he explained, “It keeps me calm. It keeps me poised, but I remember it’s bigger than this.” Then making sure the focus was firmly on God, he said, “These four titles come and go, His word remains forever.”
Carr joined him in focusing on God after the match. He said, “Like always, all glory to God.” Continuing, he explained how he prayed before the match not to win but to be able to focus and give it his all, saying, “I prayed before the match, ‘Give me unlimited energy and focus.’ And when I was out there, I just kept telling myself just focus and keep wrestling hard. It feels awesome to end my career on top.”
Brooks did much the same thing after his Olympic Trials win, thanking God for the victory that means he’s headed to Paris for this summer’s Olympics. He did so when speaking to NBC after the match, saying that it all is a journey with God and that, in preparation for this summer’s tournament, he’s putting his faith in the Lord above.
Beginning, Brooks said, “Praise the Lord. Like I say many times, it’s a journey with Him.” Then, when asked how he feels about securing a spot for the summer Olympics in Paris, he told NBC, “Just put my faith in Him. Praise the Lord.”
Continuing, he spoke about his victory over a fellow Penn State alumnus, David Taylor, the victory that means he’ll get to go to the Olympics. Brooks said, speaking about his discussion with Taylor after the match, “I just told him I love him. … He inspired a lot of people, so just praying he seeks the Lord and God’s will be done.”
Watch Brooks here:
Featured image credit: screengrab from the embedded video