Neal named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week
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John Fuller (TheMat.com)
10/27/2004
Stephen Neal (Foxboro, Mass.) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for the week of October 19-25. Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level. The announcement will be made each week on Wednesday. Neal, now in his fourth season with the New England Patriots of the National Football League (NFL), has started four consecutive games. The Patriots, the defending World champions, have set a record for consecutive wins (21) and consecutive regular season victories (18). The Patriots are currently 6-0 this season and in first place in the AFC East division. Neal has started the last four games at right guard, and so far this season has played in all six games at both offensive guard positions. Last week, he helped open holes for running back Cory Dillon who gained 115 yards on 22 carries (5.2-yard avg.) in a 13-7 win over the previously unbeaten New York Jets. As a wrestler, Neal was 1999 men's freestyle World Champion. He also excelled collegiately, winning two NCAA titles at Cal State-Bakersfield and winning the Dan Hodge Trophy in 1999, amateur wrestling's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. While at Bakersfield, Neal compiled a 156-10 career record. Click here to view previous Athletes of the Week