Justin Ruiz (Meridian, Idaho/New York AC) was named 2010 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year by USA Wrestling. It is the second time that Ruiz has won this prestigious award, to go along with his selection in 2005.

Ruiz placed fifth at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. at the 2010 World Championships in Moscow, Russia.

Ruiz had a 3-2 record at the World Championships, with victories over Richard Karelson of Estonia, Sabhui Humbatov of Azerbaijan and Yunior Estrada of Cuba. He lost in the second round to eventual silver medalist Timofej Dzeinichenka of Belarus. In the bronze-medal bout, he was defeated by Jimmy Lidberg of Sweden in a tough 1-0, 1-0 battle.

Ruiz qualified for his fifth U.S. World Team, by winning the 2010 U.S. World Team Trials in Council Bluffs, Iowa, defeating R.C. Johnson in the best-of-three finals series in two straight matches.

He won his sixth U.S. Open title in Cleveland, Ohio, stopping John Lorenz in the championship finals.

Among the other major events which Ruiz won was the 2010 Pan American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico and the 2010 Dave Schultz Memorial International Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Ruiz was a 2005 World bronze medalist and a runner-up in the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

He was an two-time All-American for the University of Nebraska. Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Ruiz won three state high school titles and was a three-time Junior Nationals champion.

PAST GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
2010 – Justin Ruiz, Meridian, Idaho, New York AC
2009 - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo., U.S. Army
2008 - Adam Wheeler, Colorado Springs, Colo., Gator WC
2007 - Brad Vering, Colorado Springs, Colo., New York AC
2006 - Joe Warren, Colorado Springs, Colo., New York AC
2005 - Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo., New York AC
2004 - Rulon Gardner, Wellsville, Utah, Sunkist Kids
2003 - Jim Gruenwald, Colorado Springs, Colo., Sunkist Kids
2002 - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo., U.S. Army
2001 - Rulon Gardner, Cascade, Colo., Sunkist Kids
2000 - Rulon Gardner, Afton, Wyo., Sunkist Kids
1999 - Dremiel Byers, Colorado Springs, Colo., U.S. Army
1998 - Matt Lindland, Lincoln, Neb., Sunkist Kids
1997 - Rulon Gardner, Gilbert, Ariz., Sunkist Kids
1996 - Dennis Hall, Stevens, Point, Wis., Sunkist Kids
1995 - Dennis Hall, Stevens Point, Wis., Sunkist Kids
1994 - Dennis Hall, Stevens Point, Wis., Sunkist Kids
1993 - James Johnson, Phoenix, Ariz., Sunkist Kids