Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/279748
This distinguished wrestler was always a competitor regardless of the level or style required. In high school, college, and on the international wrestling stage, Justin Ruiz was a winner. At Taylorsville High School, not far from Salt Lake City, Ruiz won three Utah State High School Championships in the late 1990's and earned a High School National Championship in 1998. He also received the 1998 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award. He was also a three-time ASICS Junior National Champion, a three-time Fila Junior National Champion and a High School National Champion. He was a member of two Fila Junior World Teams. After graduation, he signed to wrestle for the University of Nebraska at 197 pounds. After a redshirt year, Ruiz served as a missionary for the Church of Latter Day Saints in Concepcion, Chile. He returned to Nebraska in time for the 2002 wrestling season. As a Cornhusker, he compiled a combined 43-15 record in 2002 and 2003, finished fifth both years at the NCAA Championships and earned All-America honors. But this Latino wrestler was only getting started. He took an Olympic redshirt year and quickly became successful at the international level in Greco-Roman wrestling. His record includes seven U.S. Open National titles, bronze medalist in the 2005 Greco-Roman World Championships, four World teams, two-time US Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year, four-time Pan American Champion, World Cup Silver Medalist, and a member of the only U.S.-Greco-Roman Team to win a World Championship. Justin was also a two-time Olympic alternate for the U.S. Greco-Roman team. Retired from international wrestling in 2012, Justin now is an Assistant Coach at Utah Valley University. Says Justin Ruiz about his new job as a wrestling coach at UVU, "I think there's a lot of great talent in this state … . I'd like to see those kids stay here and show the country how competitive we are." If Justin Ruiz instills in his wrestlers the same competitive spirit and thirst for achievements that dominated his career in high school, as a Husker, and then in the international ranks, then UVU's opponents had better be ready! Wrestled 2000-2003 University of Nebraska 197lbs JUSTIN RUIZ 46 | NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM LATINO WRESTLING EXPERIENCE