Northwestern University Athletics
Sam Neider Leads Wrestling Squad
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
January 10, 1999
With his work on the mat and in the classroom, Northwestern's Sam Neider has developed into a leader for the 10th-ranked Wildcat wrestling squad. On the mat, he is a three-time NCAA qualifier and a returning All-American. Off the mat, he is a fifth-year senior on a team that has three freshmen in the starting lineup. As a result, Neider knows that his responsibilities extend beyond just wrestling. Thus far, nobody can argue with his performance.
Neider's path to the top was filled with potential pitfalls. He came to Northwestern from high school wrestling powerhouse St. Edwards as one of the top recruits in the nation, steamrolling through an undefeated senior season on his way to back-to-back Ohio state championships. As with any student-athlete, the adjustment to the demands of college life is a major challenge and one Neider looked forward to conquering.
On the mat his freshman year, Neider lived up to all the accolades. He finished seventh in the Big Ten and became one of only a handful of Wildcat freshman wrestlers to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
Despite his accomplishments, Neider was redshirted the following season. Instead of sitting idly by, he focused on academics and was rewarded by earning academic All-Big Ten honors as a mechanical engineering major. With a firm grip on what it takes to be a student-athlete, Neider set out to make a name for himself.
Upon his return the following season, Neider became a force for the Wildcats. He posted a team-high 26 victories and led the team with a 9-4 dual meet mark. He placed in the top seven in each of the three major tournaments and capped off the season with a fifth-place finish at the Big Ten Championships, earning him an automatic invitation to the NCAA Championships, and his second Academic All-Big Ten award.
After proving he could return to his championship form, Neider has set his sights on claiming both a Big Ten and national championship. Last season, Neider improved to 29-7 overall (14-2 in dual meets) and finished fourth in the Big Ten. He used that momentum to carry him to a fifth-place finish nationally and All-America status. Additionally, he earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for the third consecutive year.
"Sam epitomizes the term student-athlete." praises his head coach, Tim Cysewski. "He has taken advantage of the academic opportunities presented to him as well as developing into a championship caliber wrestler."
Neider is off to a fast start again this season, posting a 13-4 record and recording victories in both of the team's dual meets. He is coming off a sixth place finish at the Midlands Wrestling Championships and is primed to add a Big Ten championship trophy and a Masters degree to his collection of awards. With three freshmen in the starting lineup, the precocious Wildcats don't have to look too far in search of a leader.
