Lorenzo Neal wrestled for Lemoore High School and was a California Interscholastic Federation state champion as a senior after finishing second as a junior and fourth as a sophomore in one-class California.

He was 42-0 with 25 pins as a senior in 1989 and had a career prep record of 153-8-1 while also being a two-time Junior National All-American in freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Neal set a state record for fastest pin in a wrestling match and was named California State Athlete of the Year, which recognizes the top overall high school athlete in the state.