Hall of Fame honorees: Logan Stieber, Dr. Bernie Feldman, Chief Chad Smith, Rulon Gardner, Lincoln McIlravy, Jim Ramirez, Dave Auble, Rick Yarosh, Russ Camilleri. Photo by Pat Fox.

STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Honors weekend concluded with the 34th annual induction Honors Banquet at the Oklahoma State Student Union Ballroom.

Sandy Stevens was the moderator for the evening. A video about each inductee, produced by Dave Bennett was shown, and each honoree gave a short speech to thank their families, friends and colleagues.

Formal induction ceremonies were held for the new Distinguished Members:
• David Auble of Ithaca, N.Y.
• Russ Camilleri of Richland, Mo.
• Rulon Gardner of Logan, Utah
• Lincoln McIlravy of Iowa City, Iowa

All four wrestling greats were past members of the U.S. Olympic Team. Gardner was a 2000 Olympic champion and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist. McIlravy won a 2000 Olympic bronze medal. Camilleri was a two-time Olympian in Greco-Roman wrestling (1960, 1964). Auble was a 1964 Olympian.

All four were also top college wrestler. McIlravy won three NCAA titles for the Univ. of Iowa and Auble won two NCAA crowns for Cornell. Gardner was an All-American for Nebraska, and an NJCAA national champion for Ricks College. Camilleri starred for San Jose State.

TheMat.com had exlusive interviews with all four Distinguished Members prior to the Honors Banquet:

TheMat.com interview with David Auble

TheMat.com interview with Russ Camilleri

TheMat.com interview with Rulon Gardner

TheMat.com interview with Lincoln McIlravy

The major annual awards presented by the Hall of Fame were also presented, and the winners included:

• Outstanding American, Chief Chad Smith of Tahlequah, Okla. - A high school wrestler, Smith has been the Principle Chief of the second largest Indian tribe in the United States since 1999, the Cherokee Nation.

• Order of Merit, Dr. Bernard Feldman of Palos Park, Ill. – Feldman has served the U.S. National and International Teams as a team physician since 1983 including five Olympic Games.

• Medal of Courage, Rick Yarosh of Windsor, N.Y. - Yarosh, an accomplished high school wrestler, suffered burns on his entire body when his tank hit an explosive in Baghdad in 2006. His courage during recovery is inspiring and he is now helping others.

• Lifetime Achievement for Officials, Jim Ramirez of Arkansas City, Kansas -  Ramirez is one of the most accomplished collegiate and folkstyle officials in the nation having officiated 16 straight NCAA Div. I National Championships. Stieber

• Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner Logan Stieber of Monroeville, Ohio – Stieber is a four-time state champion in Ohio, a bronze-medalist at the U.S. Senior Freestyle Open, and a multiple national champion in the international styles.

TheMat.com had exlusive interviews with all of the special Hall of Fame award winners prior to the Honors Banquet:

TheMat.com interview with Chief Chad Smith

TheMat.com interview with Dr. Bernard Feldman

TheMat.com interview with Rick Yarosh

TheMat.com interview with Jim Ramirez

TheMat.com interview with Logan Stieber

A number of newspaper articles have appeared about this year’s induction class:

Cherokee Chief inducted into wrestling hall (Tulsa World)

With Olympic medals, new lease on life, Gardner heads into Hall (Colorado Springs Gazette)

Wrestling Hall of Fame just part of Rulon Gardner's dream (Deseret News)

Rulon Gardner a survivor in and out of wrestling (Daily Oklahoman)