The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced Wednesday that David Auble, an Ithaca High School and Cornell University graduate will be inducted into the Wrestling Hall of Fame during ceremonies June 4-5 in Stillwater, Okla.

Auble posted a 79-1 record at Ithaca High before wrestling at Cornell, where he was a two-time NCAA champion in 1959 and 1960 in the 123-pound weight class. He was named the Outstanding Wrestler of the 1960 NCAA Tournament and was a three-time Eastern champion with a total collegiate record of 51-1. Auble also was a gold medalist at the Pan-American Games in 1959, and placed fourth at the 1962 World Games and the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

"I'm very grateful for their selection," Auble said. "I hope that it's an inspiration to some of our kids in the local wrestling fraternity. It takes a combination of a lot of people to stay involved in sports and find some success."

Auble, 71, has been battling the flu and was told of his selection by Cornell wrestling coach Rob Koll. Auble said two of the biggest influences in his wrestling career were Ithaca High wrestling coach John Jaffuers and assistant coach Bill Layton.

Layton's wife, Margaret Layton, also tutored some of the wrestlers and were influential into his admission to Cornell, Auble said.

"My old high school coach used to tell me when I was going to quit wrestling after high school, he'd try selling me on the long-term benefits of getting recognition for years in future," Auble said. "At that age you don't always believe that sort of thing. It's always kind of a heart-warming experience and it helps kind of connect the generations -- the grandkids and your children -- with your past activities that you were involved in before they were involved with. Those are the things that make you appreciate it and make that extra effort and sacrifice worthwhile."

Auble will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame as a "distinguished member" along with Olympic teammate Russell Camilleri, Rulon Gardner and Lincoln McIlravy.

Also being recognized is official Jim Ramirez, Windsor grad Rick Yarosh will be given the medal of courage award, the outstanding American award will be given to Cherokee Chief Chad Smith, and Dr. Bernard Feldman will receive the Order of Merit.

Auble still lives in Ithaca and is an assistant coach at Ithaca College. Previously he was the head coach at Campbell University and UCLA, and spent time as an assistant at Cornell, Michigan State and North Carolina State.

"It's always kind of surprising to get recognition when you get that far out of competition," Auble said. "It's an exciting moment for me. I was a little bit overwhelmed."