Defending The Title: 1938: Who Did and Who Didn't Defend Their Title

 The 1938 NCAA's held at Penn State saw Cowboy teammates Joe McDaniel and Stan Henson win #2 of what would eventually be three titles. Then of course there was Charley McDaniel who appeared again to win his second NCAA title.  The other five champions crowned that night stood atop the award stand for the first time. 

1938 Champion 126
Allen Sapora of Illinois 

The younger brother of two time champion Joe Sapora, Allen decided to add another national title to the list of family accomplishments when he took the title here as a senior.  He devoted a large portion of his life to wrestling after college. Among officiating many tournaments throughout the United States and Canada, he also helped to establish many wrestling programs throughout the state of Illinois where they previously not sponsored the sport. 

1938 Champion 135
D.C. Matthews of Oklahoma 

World War II Veteran D.C. Matthews was a senior when he won the NCAA title

1938 Champion 155
Dale Scrivens of Oklahoma State 

The testimony as to why Kansas should have a DI wrestling team is long as it dates back nearly 85 years.  At one time Kansas, Kansas State and even Wichita State had programs. Still should as Kansas has always produced great wrestling talent.  Scrivens of Wellington High School was one of them. Finishing third at the NCAA's as a junior in 1937, he won the NCAA title here as a senior. 

1938 Champion 165 
John Ginay of Illinois 

An NCAA runner-up as a junior in 1937, Ginay bettered himself one spot by capturing the NCAA title in 1938.  He'd go on to serve in the U.S. Navy before turning his life over to teaching and eventually becoming a principal. 

1938 Champion 175
John "Chip" Harkness of Harvard 

Brains and muscles, Harkness won the NCAA title for the Crimson in 1938.  He'd be the sole champion until Jesse Jantzen won a title in 2004, in which he was in attendance to witness. An architect post college he designed many buildings and homes. 


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Joe McDaniel and Stan Henson, along with Charley McDaniel both win title #2. 

Sapora, Matthews, Scrivens, Ginay and Harkness all leave the door wide open for new champions to be crowned in 1939, as all were seniors.