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NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

NittanyCentral

NittanyCentral delivers expert analysis from veteran reporters and timely updates on Penn State sports, with in-depth coverage of Nittany Lions Football, Wrestling, Basketball, and more.

Penn State Wrestling: Aaron Brooks is your 2024 Hodge Trophy winner

Aaron Brooks, Penn State Wrestling, USA Olympic Wrestling Trials
Chris SnyderPenn State Wrestling, ,

This past year was yet another incredible season for Penn State Wrestling.

The Nittany Lions won their second straight Big Ten title and they won their 11th NCAA title in the last 13 tournaments. And to further add to their dominance on the mat, Penn State set the team scoring mark (172.5) and set the largest margin of victory in any NCAA Championship (100).

As far as individual awards, no other wrestler was as decorated this year as Aaron Brooks.

Penn State Wrestling
Aaron Brooks of Penn State wrestles Trent Hidlay of North Carolina State(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

Aaron Brooks Adds to Penn State Wrestling Hardware

Brooks won his fourth Big Ten title, was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the Big Ten Championships, and was the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year.

Then Brooks went and won his fourth NCAA title, was named Outstanding Wrestler of the NCAA Championships, and was crowned the 2024 NCAA Most Dominant Wrestler.

And with the news this afternoon, this is simply the cherry on top.

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With winning the 2024 Hodge Trophy, Brooks becomes the seventh Nittany Lion to achieve this high honor since its inception in 1995. Aaron is the first Penn State wrestler to win the title since Bo Nickal took home the award in 2019.

Honestly, there’s not a more fitting way for Aaron Brooks to end his Penn State career.

Brooks is, and will forever be, one of the best to ever do it in Happy Valley. As I said in the Mount Rushmore of Penn State Wrestling article, Cael Sanderson and his staff bring loads of talent to Penn State every year. But it’s hard to imagine the Nittany Lion faithful will see someone like Aaron Brooks ever again.

He’s a true champion on and off the mat and the next thing on his bucket list is for sure chasing down some Olympic gold.

Penn State Wrestling, Cael Sanderson
Penn State Wrestling head coach Cael Sanderson has built a dynasty in Happy Valley. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

MORE: How Penn State May Replace Aaron Brooks

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Chris Snyder
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Chris Snyder
Penn State Wrestling Beat Reporter at NittanyCentral
Expertise: College Wrestling, College Football, Lays Chips
Education: Penn State University
Location: State College, PA

Even though he had no prior journalism experience, Chris has now covered Penn State Wrestling and Penn State Football for the past three years, including as the Penn State Wrestling Beat Writer for VictoryBellRings.com, part of the FanSided network.

And it's clear he also likes constant torture as he's been a PSU Basketball fan for way too long.

Several years back, Chris made the seamless transition from PGA Professional to computer programmer and thoroughly enjoys following and writing about all things related to Penn State sports during his spare time.
Chris Snyder
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Penn State Wrestling: Aaron Brooks is your 2024 Hodge Trophy winner
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