Justin Ruiz is a tremendous competitor and has experienced success at all
levels of wrestling including high school, collegiate, and international.
Justin began wrestling his eight grade year and has loved the sport ever since.
After he had a successful prep career at Taylorsville High School in
Taylorsville, Utah; Justin attended the University of Nebraska where he was a
two time NCAA All American.
After redshirting for the Huskers his first year of college, Justin took two
years off of wrestling to serve a full time mission for the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints in Concepcion, Chile. Upon completion of his
mission, Justin returned to Nebraska to compete for them for his freshman and
sophomore years.
He then decided to take an Olympic redshirt year and moved to Colorado Springs.
After finishing second in the 2004 Olympic trials, Justin made up his mind to
pursue international wrestling success and opted not to return to compete in
college for his junior and senior years of eligibility.
Since moving to Colorado Springs, Justin has won 4 national championships and
made 4 world teams. He won a bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships in
Budapest, Hungary, and is looking to make the Olympic team in 2008 and fulfill
his dreams of winning an Olympic Gold Medal.
Justin currently resides in Colorado Springs with his wife Sarah. They have
three dogs Macie, Mozart, and Newton which keep both of them busy. Some of
Justin’s hobbies include playing the guitar, spending time with his wife, fixing
things around the house, and playing with their dogs.
Justin is originally from Taylorsville,UT where his parents Joe and Carrie still
live. He has an older brother, Brandon, and a younger brother, Jared.