SANTA ANA, CA – Former Santa Ana College (SAC) and Santa Ana Valley High School wrestler Jesse Ruiz qualified as a member of the Mexican Olympic Team to compete in the 2012 Olympics held in London, England.

After being named to the Mexican Olympic Team in January, Ruiz needed a strong performance at the Pan American Olympic Qualifiers on March 25 in Florida. The top two wrestlers of each weight class would receive bids to the Olympic games. Ruiz won his semifinal match by a fall, ensuring his trip to London. He ultimately finished second in his weight class.

Ruiz was a two-time All-American at Santa Ana College while finishing second in the California Community College Athletic Association State Finals both years. Following his career at SAC, Ruiz transferred to Menlo College where he was a NAIA Champion his junior year while also being named All-American his junior and senior year.

About the Rancho Santiago Community College District
The mission of the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) is to respond to the educational needs of an ever-changing community and to provide programs and services that reflect academic excellence. Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College are public community colleges of RSCCD, which serve the residents of Anaheim Hills, East Garden Grove, Irvine, Orange, Santa Ana, Tustin and Villa Park. Both colleges provide education for academic transfer and careers, courses for personal and professional development, customized training for business and industry, and programs to train nurses, firefighters and law enforcement personnel.​

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