Our men's freestyle wrestlers have given us some incredible stories at every level. 

Thomas Gilman overcame a 6-0 deficit at the last chance qualifier to make his first senior world team and collect a silver medal at the World Championships in Athens, Greece, earlier this month. And you can't forget about both our junior and senior world teams claiming the overall titles. 

Lastly, we had Aaron Brooks. The Maryland high school senior was defeated in the Cadet World Team Trials finals by returning bronze medalist Travis Wittlake. However, after Wittlake couldn't recover from an injury, Brooks took his place on the team and ended up winning the 76kg title on Sept. 10. 

"When I found out that I was replacing Travis [Wittlake] I said to myself 'OK, you're getting another chance so you better take advantage of it,'" Brooks said. "After that it was just about training to get ready."

Brooks was fresh off his third title run at Fargo before preparing for Worlds and credits that tournament for helping him prepare, since the Cadet World Championships were wrestled on a two-day format with same-day weigh-ins.

"I feel like Fargo helped me get ready because we wrestle that format all the time," he said. "I have more matches at Fargo and the periods are longer, but that's the only difference. Everything else felt the same once we got started. But I think that it helped all of us actually. It felt a little more normal for us."

Watch Brooks claim his third Fargo title by defeating Trent Hidlay:


Having a familiar feeling was definitely a bonus for Brooks, who was not only making his Worlds debut but also traveling out of the country for the first time. When it came to adjusting to things in a foreign place, he had some help from fellow world champ Kurt McHenry, who claimed his second world title in Greece.

"It wasn't that [Kurt McHenry] gave me a ton of advice while we were there, but I can remember a few times where he would just give me little comment," Brooks said. "The one time one of the wrestlers from another country came and asked me to drill and warm up with him. I didn't think anything of it so I said yes, but Kurt said 'bad idea' so I didn't do it. There were just little moments like that where he helped me out."

When it came to handling his business on the mat, Brooks was nothing short of impressive. His preparation showed as he averaged nearly 10 points per match. 

"Before every tournament I visualize myself winning it, not just winning it but dominating it," Brooks said. "That just helps me go into tournaments with a lot of confidence. But my dad made me a DVD of the top guys in my bracket and had notes on their tendencies which helped too.

For most the part, things went how I expected, and I was able dictate each of my matches.

Even though Brooks was prepared for his competition, things nearly got away from him when he had a huge 12-3 lead going into the second period of the 76kg finals against Arsamag Khostikoev of Russia.

"I remember coach (Kevin) Jackson telling me not to force anything when I went to the corner before the second period," Brooks said. "But I got ahead of myself and started to push too hard and he started to comeback. After he scored, I had to get settled again and get back to my stuff. Plus, I felt him getting tired so I knew that if I stayed in good position and hand fought hard that I'd be OK."

Brooks' amazing run didn't just show that he is the real deal. It also solidified in his mind that he is making the right decision in going to the Olympic Training Center for a year to train before heading off to college.

"I don't really listen to what people say or read their comments, so whatever they had to say about my decision doesn't really matter," he said. "Winning my first world title definitely let me know that I am on the right track for what I want to accomplish though. I didn't have any doubt about my decision, but winning this title is extra backup for me."

Brooks' Results

Gold Medal Match: Aaron Brooks (United States) dec. Arsamag Khostikoev (Russia), 13-8.
Semifinal: Aaron Brooks (United States) tf. Meysam Enayatollah Zaree (Iran), 12-1.
Quarterfinal: Aaron Brooks (United States) dec. Oleksandr Vyshniak (Ukraine), 9-3.
Round 2: Aaron Brooks (United States) fall Alex Hoerner (Germany), 2:10.
Round 1: Aaron Brooks (United States) tf Lasha Bairamovi (Georgia), 14-2.