| Contest | Place | Year |
|---|---|---|
| National Mandolin Championship | Second | 2014 |
| National Mandolin Championship | Second | 2013 |
| National Mandolin Championship | Third | 2012 |
Gordon Neidinger, a 2012 first-timer to the Festival, hails from Pittsburg, PA. Gordon says friends suggested that he come and compete at the contest in Winfield and they kept urging him on, so he came and competed. This young man is a 17-year old High School Senior who says his favorite subject is calculus. After High School he is considering Berklee College for his future educational endeavors. Gordon doesn’t play sports in school but does love to ski. The 3rd Place Trophy and a Collings MF Custom Mandolin by Collings Guitars Inc. of Austin, TX were awarded Gordon for his efforts.