BROTHERS IN ARMS
Former Nebraska mates now leading US Greco team
Justin Ruiz and Brad Vering could not have come from much different backgrounds.
Ruiz is a Mormon from Salt Lake City, Utah. Vering grew up in Howells, Neb., a hard-working, farm community of around 600 people.
But it is wrestling that has brought them together, first at the University of Nebraska and now in Colorado Springs, Colo., as teammates on the U.S. world Greco-Roman team.
Ruiz and Vering, who train together and room together on trips, both have aspirations of earning medals at the World Ch
ampionships, set for late September in Budapest, Hungary.“Brad is just great,” Ruiz said. “He is a great training partner and a great friend. He has become like a brother and a mentor to me. He has such a positive attitude and great work ethic. He inspires me a lot. When I see him win, it makes me want to win.”
The out-going, personable Vering laughed when told what Ruiz said about him.
“Hey, man, that guy helps me as much as I help him,” Vering said. “Every time I push him, he pushes me back. Every time he pushes me, I push him back. We battle with each other every day. We have both set a standard that we are not looking for anything else but a world championship or Olympic gold medal. He has improved a ton in the last couple years. He could definitely win a medal.
“Justin and I have a really good brotherhood. It is just as special for me when he wins as it is for him when I win. I love having a guy like that to train with. His support means a lot.”
Ruiz, 25, will compete in his second world meet. He replaced an injured Garrett Lowney at 211.5 pounds in the 2003 world meet, gaining valuable experience. He was second to Lowney in the Olympic Trials last year.
Vering, 27, is now a veteran on the international level. He was fifth in the world in 2002 and 2003 at 185 pounds before competing in the Olympics last year.
When Vering won a recent tournament overseas, Ruiz said Vering made sure he let him know about it.
“Brad won this crystal vase,” Ruiz said. “He put it up by my bed and said kind of jokingly, ‘Look what I got.’ We kind of challenge each other and push each other to be the best. He definitely motivates me to want to get better. We both want to be world champions.”(You can read the rest of this article by subscribing to W.I.N. Magazine. Either contact our office at 1-888-305-0606 or subscribe through this website by selecting the “Subscribe” section on our front page.)