John dominated the entire Wrestling season, winning dual meet and Big Ten victories. The captain for the 1937 Wrestling team, John also won recognition as the Outstanding Big Ten Wrestler of the Year. He also studied Medicine, and served in the National Society of the Scabbard and Blade (some kind of R.O.T.C.) while at the University of Minnesota.
The 1937 Tournament was held at Indiana State Teachers College (today Indiana State University). Whitaker a Senior that year competed in the 175 pound weight class. The 1937 tournament was the 10th such NCAA Wrestling event.