Mark Ruiz
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Mark Ruiz (born April 9, 1979 in Toa Alta, Puerto Rico), is a Olympian of Puerto Rico. Ruiz represented the United States in the 2000 Olympic Games and the 2004 Olympic Games.
[edit] Brief Biography
Ruiz took up diving at the age of 9. Upon a coach's suggestion, he moved to the U.S. at 12 to take advantage of the better training system. The move obviously paid off: During the spring nationals in 1999, he swept all three events (10-meter platform, 3-meter springboard and the non-Olympic event of 1-meter springboard), becoming the first diver since Greg Louganis in 1988 to accomplish this feat.
Ruiz also competes in synchronized diving (springboard and platform), which will have medal events for the first time in Sydney. Ruiz, a four-time national champion in the platform, has already qualified in the platform and 3-meter springboard. He and partner Rio Ramirez finished fourth in the 3-meter springboard at the 2000 World Cup.
Mark is a graduate of Dr. Phillips High School in Orlando, Florida. He was a member of the swimming and diving team and was the individual state champion for diving all four years he competed.
[edit] Achievements
2000 Olympic Team Trials, platform, 3-meter springboard, 1st
2000 National Indoor Championships, platform, 3-meter springboard, 1st
2000 National Indoor Championships, synchronized, platform, 1st
2000 World Cup, platform, 5th; 3-meter springboard, 7th
1999 Summer National Championships, synchronized, 3-meter springboard, 1st, platform, 2nd
1999 Summer National Championships, platform, 3- and 1-meter springboard, 1st
1999 Pan American Games, 3-meter springboard, 1st, platform, 5th
1999 World Cup, platform, 3rd
1999 Spring National Championships, synchronized, platform, 1st; 3-meter springboard, 3rd
1999 Spring National Championships, platform, 3- and 1-meter springboard, 1st
1998 Summer National Championships, synchronized, platform, 1st
1998 Summer National Championships, platform, 1-meter springboard, 1st; 3-meter springboard, 2nd
1998 Goodwill Games, 3-meter springboard, 10th; platform, 6th
1997 World Cup, platform, 5th
