Born in October 1976, STEPHEN MATTHEW NEAL wrestled at San Diego High School, placing fourth at 189 in the California state wrestling tournament as a senior. Neal also wrestled in national freestyle events. Neal was an all-round athlete, participating in football, swimming, tennis, and track and field in addition to wrestling. This photo from USA Wrestler magazine shows him at age 19.
- Born in October 1976, STEPHEN MATTHEW NEAL wrestled at San Diego High School, placing fourth at 189 in the California state wrestling tournament as a senior. Neal also wrestled in national freestyle events. Neal was an all-round athlete, participating in football, swimming, tennis, and track and field in addition to wrestling. This photo from USA Wrestler magazine shows him at age 19.
- STEPHEN NEAL wrestled heayweight at Cal State Bakersfield. An imposing physical specimen, Neal was 6'4" and 265 lbs in college.
- STEPHEN NEAL's biggest rival in college and freestyle was KERRY McCOY of Penn State. Here the two wrestle (perhaps for the first time) in a 1996 college dual meet. McCoy won.
- As a sophomore, STEPHEN NEAL wrestled Penn State senior KERRY McCOY for the heavyweight title at the 1997 NCAAs at the University of Northern Iowa. McCoy won his second title, 3-2.
- At the 1998 NCAAs, junior STEPHEN NEAL wrestled Iowa State's TRENT HYNEK for the heavyweight title.
- STEPHEN NEAL demolished ISU's TRENT HYNEK with a 20-5 technical fall to win the 1998 NCAA heavyweight title at Cleveland State University.
- At the 1999 NCAAs at Penn State, senior -- and defending champ -- STEPHEN NEAL faced off against University of Minnesota sensation (now UFC champ) BROCK LESNAR in the heavyweight finals...
- In a cautious, carefully-wrestled match, STEPHEN NEAL defeated BROCK LESNAR 3-2 to win his second NCAA heavyweight crown.
- STEPHEN NEAL on top of the victory stand at the 1999 NCAAs, having won his second heavyweight title by beating BROCK LESNAR.
- In 1999, STEPHEN NEAL was awarded the HODGE TROPHY as best college wrestler in the nation at any weight. Later that year, he won the FILA Outstanding Wrestler Award as best international wrestler at any weight.
- Even in college, STEPHEN NEAL competed in freestyle. Here's a great photo of Neal in his prime, from Sports Illustrated
- Just months after graduating from college, STEPHEN NEAL upset Russian veteran ANDREI SHUMILIN to win the 1999 World Freestyle Championship in Turkey.
- STEPHEN NEAL was a superstar in US freestyle wrestling, featured on posters and in ads, such as this one for Asics wrestling shoes.
- Anticipating the 2000 Olympics, many in the wrestling world assumed 1999 World champ STEPHEN NEAL would compete at the Sydney Games. But, as NBC showed at its pre-Olympics website, college and freestyle rival KERRY McCOY loomed large...
- Contrast of emotions: At the 2000 US Olympic Trials in Dallas, KERRY McCOY defeated STEPHEN NEAL to win a place on the US Olympic team. McCoy placed 5th in Sydney
- At the 2001 World Team Trials in Cincinnati, STEPHEN NEAL again faced familiar foe KERRY McCOY in the finals to see who would wrestle at the 2001 World Championships...
- In a best-of-three match series, KERRY McCOY defeated STEPHEN NEAL in a series of close bouts to win a place on the 2001 US World Team. Neal retired from wrestling.
- STEPHEN NEAL never played football in college... but had been encouraged to try out for the NFL. After being rejected by the Philadelphia Eagles, Neal earned a place on the New England Patriots as a guard. Neal has won three Super Bowl rings.
- STEPHEN NEAL is one of the friendliest, most intelligent athletes this writer has ever met. Here he is signing autographs.
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