LINCOLN, Neb. - Former Nebraska All-American wrestlers Tolly Thompson and Justin Ruiz will compete in the 2006 World Championships in Guangzhou, China. The lone returning medalists for the United States from 2005 World Championships, Thompson will wrestle in the freestyle competition at 120 kg/264.5 lbs, while Ruiz will wrestle in the Greco-Roman at 96 kg/211.5 lbs.  

Thompson, a three-time All-American as a Husker and the 1995 national champion at heavyweight, earned the bronze medal at the 2005 World Championships. Thompson holds the school record for wins in a career, with a four-year mark of 157-21.  He was a three-time conference champion and holds the school record with 72 career wins by fall at Nebraska. Thompson's .882 career winning percentage ranks third all-time at Nebraska, while his four seasons at Nebraska rank among the top 12 in wins in school history. Thompson earned his spot on the U.S. national team by winning the U.S. Nationals and the World Team Trials earlier this year. Currently an assistant coach at Northern Iowa after serving previously as a Nebraska assistant, Thompson is ranked No. 7 in the world by themat.com. Thompson is scheduled to wrestle Sept. 29.

Ruiz was a two-time All-American at Nebraska in 2002 and 2003. Justin's 27-11 freshman season in 2001-02 is the eighth-best freshman campaign in terms of wins in school history. Ruiz is competing in his third World Championships, also competing in 2003 and 2005. In 2005, Ruiz was the bronze medalist at 96 kg/211.5 lbs in Greco-Roman wrestling.  Ranked eighth by themat.com at 96 kg, Ruiz is currently a resident-athlete at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. He is scheduled to compete Sept. 26.

Bout results will be available on themat.com throughout the World Championships, while WCSN.com will provide delayed internet video coverage.