Meyer Shapiro is used to having a target on his back. The promising high school star made waves when he won the 2021 Cadet World Championships and titles at Powerade and National Preps. He also snagged a 6-3 win over Ladarion Lockett at last year’s Who’s Number One. 

His recent run at the U20 World Championships likely made the bulls-eye even bigger. Shapiro displayed a variety of offensive and defensive prowess that made the country take notice. The Woodbine, Maryland, native won five straight matches to take gold at 70 kilograms. 

The Cornell freshman enters the upcoming season ranked 24th in a loaded 157-pound field that includes seven returning national place winners. His likely rise will be an ongoing storyline throughout the season. 

“I’ve done this in the past where there’s a target on my back and I’m the guy to beat,” Shapiro said. “In my mind, there aren’t a lot of expectations. It’s my first year as a college freshman. I’m ranked 24th. I’m just going to go out there and wrestle. 

“I have goals for myself. I have expectations for myself. I don’t even bother with some of the other ones. There’s a reality to it. I plan on making it to the finals this year. I plan on winning the NCAA tournament. It’s more of knowing what I want to do and having a plan for that and executing that plan.”

The plan almost fell apart during the U20 World Championships. He was behind 4-2 against Mirjavad Nabiyev of Azerbaijan before scoring a pair of two-point takedowns in the final minute for a 6-4 win in the Round of 16. Shapiro didn’t surrender a point in the subsequent two matches before a thrilling 11-6 victory over Ali Rezaeiaghouzgeleh of Iran in the finals.

“There have been points in time when I had to dig deep and find a way. I did it in Jordan against Azerbaijan,” Shapiro said. “I was wrestling that match and I felt sorry for myself and I thought I was going to lose because I thought I was going to let myself lose — not because that kid was better than me. 

“I was just standing there. It was all in my control. I was going to let it slip out of my hands because I was going to. It’s something I’ve been working on.”

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Shapiro earned a late win against Mirjavad Nabiyev of Azerbaijan before scoring a pair of two-point takedowns in the final minute

Knowledge Is Power

The real work began after he won the 2021 Cadet World Championships. Shapiro slipped into a mental lull when expectations about his career began to blossom. He attempted to take on too much at one time — and it backfired.

That led to feeling overwhelmed and unfocused. There were moments when Shapiro was unhappy with himself and he was unsure of where his wrestling career would lead. His local wrestling club didn’t have the resources he thought he needed to succeed at the next level. 

His 2021 World Championship run was basically a solo effort. He didn’t have a personal coach or training partner before Wisconsin assistant Jon Reader took on both roles.

His 2023 World Championship run was a team effort led by Cornell coaches Mike Grey and Yianni Diakomihalis. That type of support is why Shapiro is excited to compete for the Big Red next season. 

Potential Penn State Showdown

A potential showdown with Penn State’s top-ranked Levi Haines is what excites wrestling fans next season. The two were on the 2021 Cadet World team together and have built a relationship after years of wrestling together.

“I’ve been around Levi a lot,” Shapiro said. “I can say we’re friends and I hope he says the same thing. He’s someone I’ve had time with and have been around. Levi are going to have a long future together.”

The future, however, is something Shapiro doesn’t spend much time thinking about. The Cornell freshman wants to focus on what’s immediately in front of him. Shapiro is only concerned about the next thing that requires action. 

That means staying in the moment. 

“People get so lost into doubts in your mind and fictional thoughts,” Shapiro said. “People don’t understand that thoughts are just thoughts. They’re in your head. You’re standing there before a match and all these thoughts are imaginary things. 

“You haven’t gone to the mat yet. You haven’t walked to the mat yet. You haven’t even taken your shirt off to pull your straps up. There’s no point in doubting yourself or worrying about the outcome because nothing has happened yet. It's important to stay in a Zen-type of state but at the same time excited to wrestle.” 

Shapiro has a singular thought as he enters the season: represent Cornell University. 

“These coaches really make you believe,” Shapiro said. “When I came to Cornell there weren’t any other schools that could change my mind.”