Editing Stephen Neal (section)

==Wrestling career==
Neal attended [[California State University, Bakersfield]] and became one of the top [[collegiate wrestling|wrestlers]] in the nation, compiling a 156–10 record with four [[All-America]]n seasons. He placed fourth in [[NCAA]] Division I as a freshman and second as a sophomore before winning titles his junior and senior year. In 1997, in his sophomore season, Neal lost to two time heavyweight champ [[Kerry McCoy (wrestler)|Kerry McCoy]]. The 1998 campaign saw Neal win his first NCAA heavyweight title 20–5 over Trent Hynek of Iowa State. His final title in 1999 came via a win over future NCAA wrestling champion, [[WWE]] champion, and [[Ultimate Fighting Championship|UFC]] heavyweight champion [[Brock Lesnar]] (in March 2011, Lesnar told ''[[Opie & Anthony]]'' that his loss to Neal still sticks with him). In 1999, Neal won the [[Danny Hodge|Dan Hodge]] Award following a year in which he won the U.S. [[Freestyle wrestling|Freestyle]] Championship, the [[Pan-American Games]] title and the [[1999 World Wrestling Championships]] at [[Weight class|286 pounds]].<ref name=SchultzWC>{{Cite web  | last = Abbott  | first = Gary  | title = RIP Dave Schultz Wrestling Club  | url=http://www.wrestlingpod.com/wrestling-news/w1013/  | date = April 3, 2005 | access-date = December 8, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web| title =National Wrestling Hall of Fame - Stephen Neal| url =http://www.wrestlinghalloffame.org/wrestlers.php?wrestler=2166| access-date =December 8, 2010| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110525104041/http://www.wrestlinghalloffame.org/wrestlers.php?wrestler=2166| archive-date =May 25, 2011}}</ref> In 1999, he won the [[International Federation of Associated Wrestling Styles|FILA]] outstanding wrestler award, an honor given to the best wrestler in the world. Also for that year's performance, he received the [[Schalles Award|Wade Schalles Award]] for best collegiate pinner.<ref>{{cite web |title=Schalles Award Winners |url=https://www.win-magazine.com/win-awards/schalles-award/ |access-date=2023-04-28 |website=WIN magazine}}</ref> His 1999 season led up to the [[2000 Summer Olympics]] trials where [[Kerry McCoy (wrestler)|Kerry McCoy]] edged him for the trip to [[Sydney, Australia]]. After the trials, Neal retired from wrestling.

Neal set [[Pac-10 Conference]] records by finishing 34–0 in conference competition, while becoming the conference's first four-time winner in the same weight class, and second four-time winner ever. He finished his college career as Cal State-Bakersfield's career record holder in wins (156) and also set school records for pins in a season (31) and a career (71).

While at Cal State-Bakersfield, Neal was a four-time [[Academic All-America]]n and a four-time Pac-10 Academic All-Conference selection.

In 2012, Neal was inducted into the [[National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum|National Wrestling Hall of Fame]] as a Distinguished Member.<ref>[https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame/bio/2521 Stephen Neal]. ''National Wrestling Hall of Fame''. Retrieved September 18, 2022.</ref>