Olympic medalist Aaron Brooks returns to a hero's welcome in Hagerstown

With his Olympic bronze medal hanging from his neck, Aaron Brooks received a hero's welcome Saturday in Hagerstown.

A month after his standout performance in 86-kilogram men's freestyle wrestling at the Paris Games, Brooks, a 2018 North Hagerstown graduate, was treated like royalty during the "Aaron Brooks Homecoming of Hope" community celebration at Meritus Park.

The 24-year-old was presented the key to the city by Hagerstown Mayor Tekesha Martinez, along with several proclamations by state and local dignitaries. He even was given his own day.

"I am honored to declare Saturday, Sept. 7, as Aaron Brooks Day," Martinez said to the crowd. "On Sept. 7 moving forward, we need to remember about the character, the hard work and the commitment that this Hagerstonian put in to represent us at the Olympics."

Celebration 'surreal' for Aaron Brooks

Brooks began Saturday by signing autographs for over two hours at Younger Toyota on the Dual Highway. From there, he took part in a police-escorted procession to Meritus Park, where was he greeted by hundreds of local fans and supporters.

"It's just surreal," Brooks said to the crowd. "It's kind of like an outerbody experience, just how much love and support you guys show me. Just seeing how much this means to you, it means a lot to me."

He also spoke of his devout Christian faith.

"A lot of people ask me what it's like to be the first Olympian from Hagerstown, the first medalist, and to me personally, everything is vanity unless others follow in my footsteps," he said. "It's my job to point those to Christ. It's hard for me to take this in because I want to point you guys to him. It's been a blessing to be in this community."

PHOTOS: Aaron Brooks wrestles at the 2024 Paris Olympics

Aaron Brooks checks off goals

Saturday's event featured several speakers, including longtime North Hagerstown wrestling coach Greg Slick, who helped guide Brooks to four Maryland 4A-3A state titles and four NHSCA national championships during his time with the Hubs.

Brooks, who then became a four-time NCAA champion for Penn State, was laser-focused from the get-go, Slick said.

"Each year, we ask our athletes to sit down and do some thought and list some goals for themselves," Slick said. "We provide a little worksheet, and we try to guide them a little bit because, typically, it's the first time that a young person really sits and makes a list of things they want to do.

"I then collect them and put them on my clipboard and, at the end of the night, I take some time and I read them. When I got to Aaron's there were four things that he listed on his individual goal sheet. He wanted to win four state championships, he wanted to win four national high school championships, he wanted to win four NCAA titles, and he wanted to win the Olympics."

Slick then turned to address Brooks.

"Aaron, you've done a hell of a job checking those things off," he said.

"I've never had an athlete who made a list like that," Slick added. "I started to realize then that along with all the physical skills and talent that Aaron had, there also was a commitment, a deep commitment, to achieve and to excel."

John Brooks, Aaron's father, also spoke.

"My message to these young children here today is that if you decide there's something you want to do and you tell somebody — a coach, your parents — that that's what you want to do, there's no reason you can't do it," John Brooks said.

"Parents, listen to them."

2028 Olympics?

After the ceremony, Aaron Brooks was asked if he hoped to compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

"I don't want to think too far ahead, but God willing, yeah," Brooks said. "I've got to get the gold one next time."

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Olympic medalist Aaron Brooks returns to a hero's welcome in Hagerstown