Big Ten Commissioner praises Penn State wrestling star at conference media days

Big Ten Football Media Days is underway in Indianapolis, Indiana, this week as the upcoming season comes into focus with a little over one month until Week 1. James Franklin and the Nittany Lions will appear inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday ahead of a 2024 campaign that hopes to capitalize on a larger conference and an expanded College Football Playoff. Yet, it was Aaron Brooks and the Penn State wrestling program that earned a shoutout from Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti during the first of three media days on Tuesday.

In his opening statement to kick off Big Ten Media Days, Tony Petitti recognized the accomplishments of student-athletes from around the conference over the last year. Brooks joined Purdue basketball’s Zach Edey as the only two male athletes receiving individual recognition from the Big Ten Commissioner.

“On the men’s side, Purdue’s Zach Edey gave the Big Ten a sweep of college basketball’s Player of the Year awards,” Petitti said. “And Aaron Brooks is not only a four-time National Champion and U.S. Olympian, he was the eighth straight Big Ten wrestler to win the Hodge Trophy while leading Penn State to the NCAA Championship.”

Along with teammate Carter Starocci, Aaron Brooks became the first four-time individual NCAA Champions in Penn State wrestling history. The Nittany Lion dominated the 197-pound weight class with a 22-0 record and a 90.91% bonus percentage en route to the podium.

Brooks dominated in the NCAA Championships, winning all his matches leading up to the Final by either falls or tech falls, and without surrendering a single takedown all tournament.

Aaron Brooks finished his Penn State wrestling career with an 89-3 record and a 65.22% bonus percentage. He was a key contributor to the Nittany Lions’ three straight team National Championships from 2022 to 2024.

Penn State wrestling star is ready for Paris

© Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK

A month after finishing his college career, Aaron Brooks found himself atop the podium again. This time, it was at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in State College.

To claim his spot as a first-time Olympian, Brooks defeated former Penn State and international superstar David Taylor.

Now the top wrestler in the world at 86 kg per FloWrestling (although unseeded in the Olympic bracket), Brooks will be among the favorites to bring home the Gold for Team USA when the 2024 Summer Olympics begin, which for wrestling is on August 5.

If successful, this summer will be an opportunity for Aaron Brooks to go from a Penn State wrestling and NCAA star to an international legend.

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