STEPHEN NEAL NAMED 1999 FREESTYLE WRESTLER OF THE YEAR BY FILA, THE INTERNATIONAL WRESTLING FEDERATION 
 1999 World Champion Stephen Neal (Bakersfield, Calif./Dave Schultz WC) was named 1999 Freestyle Wrestler of the Year by FILA, the international wrestling federation. This prestigious award is given annually to the best freestyle wrestler in the world. 
 Neal, 23,  becomes only the second U.S. wrestler to ever receive the honor, the highest annual achievement for an active athlete. Two-time Olympic Champion John Smith was named FILA Wrestler of the Year in 1991. 
 "This is a very worthy recognition for Stephen, given his tremendous performance this year," said Jim Scherr, Executive Director of USA Wrestling. "We are glad that FILA has recognized what he has done, even though he is still a very young wrestler." 
 Neal was the 1999 World Champion at 286 pounds, competing in his first World Championships event. His performance led the United States to a strong second-place team finish. 
 Neal defeated two-time World bronze medalist Andrei Shumilin of Russia in the gold-medal finals, 4-3. He won five matches on the way to the title. 
 He won a gold medal in every tournament he entered in 1999, and ended the season with an 18-1 freestyle record. Neal was the 1999 Pan American Games champion and defeated 1998 World Champion Alexis Rodriguez of Cuba in the gold medal finals, 8-7. 
 Neal also won his first career gold medals at the 1999 Freestyle World Team Trials and the 1999 U.S. Nationals.  
 He was named Outstanding Wrestler at the U.S. Freestyle National Championships, after defeating veteran Tom Erikson in the gold medal finals. At the World Team Trials, Neal stopped 1998 World Team member Kerry McCoy in the best-of-three series. Neal was also the 1999 University Nationals freestyle champion. 
 Neal was named 1999 U.S. Olympic Committee Male Wrestler of the Year for his outstanding international season. 
 He was also the 1999 NCAA Div. I champion for Cal-State Bakersfield as a senior, his second straight NCAA title. He was the winner of the 1999 Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded by W.I.N. magazine to the best college wrestler. 
 Neal now serves as an assistant wrestling coach at Cal-State Bakersfield. He is originally from San Diego, Calif. 
 FILA also announced its top awards for Greco-Roman and women's wrestling, as well. Claiming the Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year award was Lazaro Rivas of Cuba, the World champion at 119 pounds. The Women's Wrestler of the Year was Anna Gomis of France, the World Champion at 123.25 pounds.