Ruiz downed Brazil’s Luiz Fernandes in the finals at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. in front of a loud and enthusiastic Brazilian crowd Wednesday night at the Riocentro Sports Complex.

American Lindsey Durlacher won a silver medal and teammate T.C. Dantzler won bronze.

The U.S. finished with medals in all six weight classes they entered in Greco-Roman. Americans Harry Lester and Brad Vering won gold medals, and Dremiel Byers won silver, in Greco-Roman on Tuesday night.

"Obviously, I'm really happy with all our guys," USA Wrestling National Greco-Roman Coach Steve Fraser said. "We didn't quite accomplish what we wanted to do here which was beat the Cubans. Lindsey fought hard and (Cuba's Roberto) Monzon was just a little too much for him. T.C. did a nice job and just needs to keep working. T.C. is deserving of a World medal this year and I think he can get it. Ruiz wrestled real smart and real solid. Everyone represented our country very well."

Ruiz (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), a 2003 Pan Am Games silver medalist, was dominant in a 7-0, 3-0 win over hometown favorite Fernandez. Ruiz hit a succession of gut wrenches to earn the win.

Even though the vocal crowd was cheering for his opponent, Ruiz said he appreciated their enthusiasm and love for the sport.

Durlacher (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), wrestling up a weight class at 60 kg/132 lbs., ran into one of the best wrestlers in the entire field. Monzon, an Olympic and World silver medalist, used his size advantage in posting a dominating 6-0, 7-0 win over Durlacher in the finals.

Dantzler bounced back from a tough first-round loss to eventual gold medalist Odellis Herrero of Cuba to win a bronze medal at 74 kg/163 lbs. Dantzler (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) turned Venezuela’s Alexander Brazon with one second left to pull out the bronze-medal match 2-2, 4-1, 3-0. Danztler was bronze medalist in the 2003 Pan Am Games.

Dantzler had a 2-0 lead late in the first period before being turned for two points in the closing seconds by Brazon. Dantzler came back strong in the second period, but was in danger of losing entering the final seconds of the third period. Needing a turn to win, Dantzler delivered near the edge of the mat and gained two points for exposure.

The women’s freestyle tournament is scheduled to start Thursday. The U.S. sends a strong four-athlete team into the competition. The team is comprised of two-time World champion Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC), Olympic silver medalist Sara McMann (Gaffney, S.C./Sunkist Kids), World silver medalist Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) and World University champion Marcie Van Dusen (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids).

Marano wrestles at 72 kg/158.5 lbs., McMann competes at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., Murata is at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Van Dusen at 55 kg/121 lbs. The women compete in the four Olympic weight classes at the Pan American Games. The U.S. swept all four women’s weight classes at the 2003 Pan Am Games.

The seven-man men’s freestyle team is scheduled to compete Friday and Saturday.

WEDNESDAY’S PAN AMERICAN GAMES MEDALISTS

60 kg/132 lbs.
Gold – Roberto Monzon (Cuba)
Silver – Lindsey Durlacher (USA)
Bronze – Luis Liendo (Venezuela)
Bronze – Mario Molina (Peru)

74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold – Odelis Herrero (Cuba)
Silver – Sixto Barrera (Peru)
Bronze – Felipe Macedo (Brazil)
Bronze – T.C. Dantzler (USA)

96 kg/211.5 lbs.
Gold – Justin Ruiz (USA)
Silver – Luiz Fernandes (Brazil)
Bronze – Oscar Aguilar (Mexico)
Bronze – Erwin Caraballo (Venezuela)

U.S. MATCH-BY-MATCH RESULTS

60 kg/132 lbs. – Lindsey Durlacher, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) – 2nd
WIN Kelvin Escorcia (Nicaragua) 6-0, 6-0
WIN Mario Molina (Peru) 6-0, 4-1
LOSS Roberto Monzon (Cuba) 6-0, 7-0

74 kg/163 lbs. – T.C. Dantzler, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC) – 3rd
LOSS Odelis Herrero (Cuba) 1-1, 1-1
WIN Alexander Brazon (Venezuela) 2-2, 4-1, 3-0

96 kg/211.5 lbs. – Justin Ruiz, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC) – 1st
WIN Manuel Simono (Dominican Republic) 5-0, 4-1
WIN Erwin Caraballo (Venezuela) 5-3, 7-0
WIN Luiz Fernandes (Brazil) 7-0, 3-0