Oklahoma State wrestling legend and Hall of Famer Stanley Henson dies at 101

STILLWATER – Oklahoma State wrestling legend Stanley Henson passed away Wednesday evening at the age of 101. Henson was the oldest living NCAA Champion and was the recipient of the program's 2017 Gallagher Award, which is presented annually to an OSU alumnus who exemplifies the spirit and leadership eminent in the tradition of champions.
"A lot of our wrestlers in the last four or five years got to meet Stanley Henson, and each time we met him it was a special moment for all of us," head coach John Smith said. "He was a great part of our program's legacy, and the last living wrestler that I know of that wrestled under Coach Gallagher. He had great memories of Coach Gallagher and always told me great stories and how highly he thought of him, and that motivated me as a coach.
"I had the opportunity to visit Dr. Henson and share stories during our trip to Northern Colorado earlier this season, and it's a memory I will cherish for the rest of my life. While it is unfortunate that he's gone, he has left some great memories for all of us and a great legacy. Our hearts are with his family today."
Stanley Henson joined the Oklahoma A&M wrestling team in 1937 under Coach Edward C. Gallagher. Defeated only once in three seasons, Henson won three NCAA championships and led the Aggies to team titles in each of those seasons as well. In 1937, he became the first sophomore to be voted outstanding wrestler of the national tournament.
During a European tour in the fall of 1938, he suffered a severe shoulder injury which hampered him during his senior year but couldn't prevent a third NCAA title, this one at 155 pounds after two at 145.
After five years as a physical instructor and wrestling assistant at the Naval Academy, Henson was able to concentrate fully on the study of medicine, completing his degree in 1950 at the University of Maryland. A highly respected surgeon, he was one of the first to combine his athletic and medical interests in the rapidly growing field of sports medicine, where he became a nationally known lecturer and consultant.
As a dominant figure in the sport of wrestling and a continuing example of the qualities of self-discipline, sportsmanship and integrity, Henson was enshrined as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1978.