A three-time state champion for Taylorsville High School, Justin Ruiz posted a 117-6 record, with five of those six losses as a freshman. He was a Junior National champion in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, and placed sixth in the Greco Junior Worlds. He also won an Espoir (20-under) National championship in Greco-Roman.

Ruiz's 3.914 GPA qualified him for National Honor Society, and he scored a 30 on the ACT exams. He is was especially active in projects for the elderly. Justin was a Life Scout, a church youth leader, taught crafts at the homeless center, and planted trees for community beautification.