One of the top U.S. Greco-Roman stars in recent years has been Justin Ruiz, who was a 2005 World bronze medalist and placed a strong fifth at the World Championships last year. Ruiz won the U.S. Open, and because of his World placement, he will sit out until the finals series. He won three medals overseas this winter. Ruiz placed second at the 2008 Olympic Trials to Adam Wheeler, who went on to win an Olympic bronze medal. Making an Olympic team has been a motivation for Ruiz, who has established himself as a top world-level competitor.

Placing second behind Ruiz at the Open was Rob Smith, who has also had a strong season. Smith won the New York AC International title, as well as two other international medals. Smith is putting his vast potential to good use in recent seasons and is a true title threat. 2009 World Team member R.C. Johnson has returned to form, and will be seeking another shot at a World Team. He won the Sunkist Kids International and a silver medal in Sweden this season. 

Placing third at the U.S. Open was John Lorenz, who has been a consistent contender in recent seasons. He has competed well since joining the U.S. Army program. Zac Nielsen, a University World placewinner, was fourth at the U.S. Open. Nielsen is a product of the USOEC program at Northern Michigan, and has numerous age-group achievements. Also qualifying for the World Team Trials through the U.S. Open were Kenyon Walsh and Moises Hernandez. 

Expected to compete at this weight class is 2009 World Team Trials runner-up Pete Gounaridis, who qualified for the World Team Trials by winning the University Nationals at heavyweight. Gounaridis competes regularly at 96 kg and has considerable experience. Also included in the field is University Nationals runner-up Marcus Finau of the USOEC, who was a FILA Junior Nationals champion this season. Finau has improved rapidly in his first year on the Senior level. Northern Plains Regional champion Justin Millard, a past U.S. Open runner-up, is also in the field. When Millard is wrestling well, he is capable of beating top competitors in this division.

Justin Ruiz has been competing well this year, except for a down performance at the Dave Schultz Memorial in February. He re-established his control of this division with his U.S. Open title, and has a big advantage of sitting out of the Challenge Tournament. The only other athlete in the field with World Championships experience is R.C. Johnson, who may have to be Robbie Smith and others to earn a shot at Ruiz. 

2011 U.S. Open results at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. in Greco-Roman
1st - Justin Ruiz, Meridian, Idaho (New York Athletic Club) dec. Rob Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York Athletic Club), 1-0, 0-1, 4-0
3rd - John Lorenz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Army) dec. Zac Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (Minnesota Storm), 1-0, 1-0
5th - Kenyon Walsh, Boise, Idaho (New York Athletic Club) inj. dft. RC Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids),
7th - Moises Hernandez, Vineland, N.J. (U.S. Marine Corps) inj. dft. Chris Michael, North Olmsted, Va. (USOEC)

2011 World Team Trials qualifiers at 96 kg/211.5 pounds in Greco-Roman
U.S. Open Champion – Justin Ruiz, Meridian, Idaho (New York AC)
U.S. Open, second place – Rob Smith, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
U.S. Open, third place – John Lorenz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
U.S. Open, fourth place – Zac Nielsen, Zimmerman, Minn. (Minnesota Storm)
U.S. Open, fifth place – Kenyon Walsh, Boise, Idaho (New York AC)
U.S. Open, sixth place – R.C. Johnson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
U.S. Open, seventh place – Moises Hernandez, Camp LeJeune, N.C. (U.S. Marine Corps)
Northern Plains Trials Champion – Justin Millard, Colorado Springs, Colo. (U.S. Army)
University Nationals Runner-up – Marcus Finau, Oahu, Hawaii (USOEC)
University Nationals Champion at 120 kg  – Peter Gounaridis, Leominster, Mass. (Sunkist Kids)