Ruiz Qualifies for 2010 U.S. World Team

Lincoln - Despite a short retirement from the sport of wrestling, former Husker All-American Justin Ruiz came back in full force to make his fifth U.S. World Team by winning the Greco-Roman 96-kilogram division at the 2010 U.S. World Team Trial over the weekend in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Ruiz will represent the United States at the 2010 World Championships this September in Moscow, Russia alongside freestyler Travis Paulson, a former Nebraska wrestling club coach.

A two-time All-American for the Huskers (2002-03), Ruiz claimed Saturday's title by defeating R.C. Johnson in a pair of best-of-three matches (0-1, 1-0, 1-0; 1-0, 2-0). The Salt Lake City native finished third at the 2005 FILA World Championships and narrowly missed out on the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team two years ago. At Nebraska, Ruiz produced a 43-16 record as a junior and senior when he finished fifth at the 2002 and 2003 NCAA Championships. He was named the team's Most Improved Wrestler (2002) and Most Dedicated Wrestler (2003) after not competing his first two years while he was on a mission trip.

Paulson earned a spot on the 2010 U.S. World Team as the 74-kilogram Freestyle champion. He defeated 2010 NCAA champion Andrew Howe of Wisconsin in the final (0-1, 1-0, 2-1) after downing his twin brother, Trent (1-0, 2-1). Both Paulson's were Nebraska club coaches during the 2008-09 season.

The 2010 U.S. World Team consists of 14 men and seven women.

2010 U.S. World Team Rosters
Men's Freestyle
55 kg: Obe Blanc
60 kg: Mike Zadick
66 kg: Brent Metcalf
74 kg: Travis Paulson
84 kg: Jake Herbert
96 kg: J.D. Bergman
120 kg: Les Sigman

Greco-Roman
55 kg: Spenser Mango
60 kg: Jeremiah Davis
66 kg: Faruk Sahin
74 kg: Jake Fisher
84 kg: Jake Clark
96 kg: Justin Ruiz
120 kg: Dremiel Byers

Women's Freestyle
48 kg: Alyssa Lampe
51 kg: Jessica Medina
55 kg: Tatiana Padilla
59 kg: Kelsey Campbell
63 kg: Elena Pirozhkova
67 kg: Kristie Davis
72 kg: Stephany Lee