Penn State Wrestling’s Aaron Brooks Reveals Lesser-Known Bond With HC Cael Sanderson Way Before His NLWC Move

For budding wrestling stars from around the country, picking the right college program is a crucial decision that can make or break their future career trajectories. Luckily for Aaron Brooks, committing to Penn State’s Nittany Lions Wrestling Club has proved to be the best decision he could have taken. However, considering head coach Cael Sanderson’s almost-mythical legacy, there could’ve been a few other options for him to ponder over. And it wasn’t just Sanderson’s elaborate coaching record that got Brooks’ attention.

The NLWC is one of the country’s most coveted wrestling institutes and for good reasons. Giving rise to some of the nation’s best wrestling stars, the Penn State wrestling team has struck fear in its opponents’ hearts and Sanderson has been at the helm of things for 14 years. However, the three-time national champ Brooks revealed that it was Sanderson’s older accolades that drew him to the NLWC for his collegiate career.

Penn State star took cues from his coach even before meeting him

In a recent social media post by the official Big Ten Wrestling account, Brooks’ style of wrestling is at the center of things, with him being on the verge of writing history. As his fourth national title possibilities hang on the horizon, Brooks took a moment to reflect on his wrestling journey so far. As Aaron Brooks is seen pinning his opponents almost flawlessly on the mat, a commentator can be heard saying how he perfectly embodies the motto of the iconic boxer Muhammed Ali. “To me, wrestling is preparation“, admits Brooks, as he talks about how he enjoys studying the game regularly.

Talking about his attraction to wrestling, Brooks revealed that everything started when his father brought home a tape of Sanderson’s wrestling from his own college days playing for the Iowa State Cyclones. “He’s the greatest college wrestler ever“, Brooks doesn’t hesitate to dote on his legendary coach.

Watching Sanderson’s videos on repeat, Brooks claims, helped him master moves like the cradle akin to a pro. Even Penn State assistant coach Casey Cunningham mentions that Brooks’ style of wrestling reflects Cael Sanderson’s maneuvers. The short clip also shows Brooks sparring with Sanderson as Cunningham explains how Brooks decided he won’t keep losing to his peers anymore, and so far, this season has been all good for the four-time Big Ten gold medalist.

Brooks fixated on a fourth national title

Aaron Brooks is on the verge of history. Till today, there hasn’t been a wrestler, even from Penn State, to have achieved the dream, and Brooks is gearing up to change that narrative. Only weeks ago, Brooks decimated Bobby Striggow of Michigan, further bolstering his claim for the top spot in the 184lb weight class.

Read more: “It’s a Little Different This Year”: NLWC HC Cael Sanderson Reflects on Challenges During the Olympic Year

In the video clip, Cunningham explains that it’s difficult beating Brooks in two matches back-to-back, owing to his well-kept and honed prowess. With that in mind, it remains to be seen how things unfold next month in Kansas City as the NCAA D1 Wrestling Championship begins.

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