One of his ancestors, Daniel Boone, was a fair-to-middlin' sharpshooter, and when Ross Flood went hunting for wrestling championships his aim was just as good.

At Blackwell, Ross and his brother John became the first twins to win Oklahoma high school championships. Then Ross pursued his wrestling career at Oklahoma State University under coach Edward C. Gallagher.

Undefeated in 30 matches at 126 pounds, he won three National Collegiate championships in 1933, '34 and '35, each time leading the Cowboys to NCAA team honors. As a senior he was voted outstanding wrestler of the national tournament.

His achievements continued to mount when he won National AAU championships in 1935 and '36 and another outstanding wrestler trophy. He then earned a place on the U. S. Olympic team and captured the silver medal at 123 pounds in the Berlin Games.

In the 1937 Pan American Exposition at Dallas, he won the gold medal at the expense of three other national champions, despite severe rib injuries which brought an end to his competitive career.

For six years he was a successful high school coach in Stillwater, then entered the Navy to spend five years as a physical instructor, including wartime service in the Pacific theater. He returned to coaching in 1946 to revive the wrestling program at Southwestern Oklahoma State, then purchased a livestock auction in Stillwater, which he operated for three decades.

Billy Sheridan, the famed Lehigh coach, often declared that Ross Flood provided the best example he had ever seen of wrestling skills and techniques.

In recognition of his tremendous achievements as a wrestling champion, Aaron Ross Flood is honored as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.