The Nebraska wrestling and martial arts community is mourning the loss of Todd Meneely, a highly accomplished athlete and beloved father, friend, and mentor, who passed away Monday after sustaining critical injuries in a car accident in central Omaha on Sunday. He was 42.

According to the Omaha Police Department, officers responded shortly after 4:15 p.m. Sunday to a crash near Meadow Drive and 91st Avenue. An initial investigation determined that a westbound 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee left the roadway and struck a light pole and a tree. First responders performed CPR on the driver, identified as a 42-year-old man, before he was transported to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. Meneely succumbed to his injuries the following day. The investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

News of Meneely’s passing has sent waves of grief through Nebraska’s wrestling community and beyond. Nebraska USA Wrestling acknowledged the incident in a statement, writing, “Skutt Catholic and UNO legend Todd Meneely was in a serious car accident recently. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Todd Meneely was a towering figure in Nebraska wrestling history. A graduate of V.J. and Angela Skutt Catholic High School and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Meneely was a three-time NCAA Division II national champion for Nebraska–Omaha. His résumé included an extraordinary 85–5 career record, induction into the Division II Hall of Fame, and being named the 2009 NCAA Division II Wrestler of the Year.

Beyond statistics and titles, Meneely was revered for who he was off the mat. Friends and former teammates described him as a relentless competitor with a generous heart—someone who embodied discipline, toughness, and loyalty. Many referred to him as a “Gladiator” and a “Maverick,” a nod to both his fearless approach to competition and his deep connection to the UNO wrestling legacy.

Tributes poured in from former wrestlers, coaches, and friends, remembering Meneely as a devoted father, a dependable friend, and a mentor who inspired others through his work ethic and character. Those closest to him spoke of a man who pushed himself and others to be better, while never losing sight of what mattered most—family, friendship, and integrity.

Todd Meneely, born July 25, 1983, leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond championships and accolades. He is remembered as a great man whose impact on Nebraska wrestling and on the lives of those who knew him will not be forgotten.