Two former Nebraska Cornhuskers are competing for Team USA in the World Wrestling Championships this week in Guangzhou, China.
Former Nebraska standouts Tolly Thompson and Justin Ruiz are Team USA's only returning medalists from last year's tournament.
Ruiz was a two-time All-American for the Huskers under coach Mark Manning. Ranked eighth in the world by themat.com, Ruiz wrestled in the Greco-Roman portion of the tournament Tuesday.
He dominated his first round opponent, needing only two of the three periods to dispatch Finland's Rami Hietaniemi.
After defeating Hietaniemi, Ruiz advanced to the round of 16 where he was bested by Korean Han Tae Young. That grueling match was decided in the third period when Ruiz was unable to score on Young to break a 1-1 tie.
Because Young was the last wrestler to score a point in the period, he was awarded the period and the match.
After wrestling his way to a bronze medal in the 2005 World Championships, Ruiz's early exit was disappointing.
"Going into it, the Greco staff over at USA wrestling probably figured he was their best chance to win a medal," Manning said.
Inevitably a competitor must beat his competition if he wants to win any tournament; however, some inside the wrestling community are disenchanted with the rule changes to Greco-Roman wrestling that might have cost Ruiz the match.
"I don't particularly like them," Manning said "but it is what it is. So as an athlete and a coach, you just have to adjust."
Thompson, another former Husker, also comes into this year's World Championship as a gold medal contender in the freestyle competition. Thompson was a three-time All-American at Nebraska, winning the 1995 NCAA championship in the heavyweight division. He also set the school record for wins in a career with a four-year mark of 157 wins and 21 losses.
Thompson comes into the tournament ranked No. 7 in the world by themat.com. After winning a bronze medal in the tournament last year, Thompson will need to wrestle well in order to live up to the expectations of his peers.
"Tolly is strong, and he is explosive," said Brad Penrith, the head wrestling coach at Northern Iowa where Thompson is an assistant. "He's adjusted to the new rules and stays in really good position."
Newly hired Husker volunteer assistant coach Sammie Henson also is competing in the World Championships for Team USA this year. Henson, a two-time national champion and Olympic silver medalist, will wrestle at 121 pounds for the tournament.
"Last year, things didn't go my way," Henderson said after his weigh-in Tuesday. "I never wrestle except to win. I am the best wrestler in the world."
