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BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING

Three-time World champion and 2016 Olympian Adeline Gray (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) will not be able to try out for the 2017 U.S. Senior World Team, as she recovers from recent surgeries.

Gray underwent surgery on both her shoulder and her knee in January. She has learned from her medical team that she would not be in top form if she attempted to compete in the U.S. Women's World Team Trials, which is scheduled for Las Vegas, Nev. in April.

Gray, one of the greatest women wrestlers in U.S. history, intends to return to competition after her complete recovery, and try out for the 2018 U.S. World Team.

"When I come back, I want to be prepared to step on the mat and be where I was competitively before my injury," said Gray.

Gray initially injured her shoulder during an international training camp in Spain in early July of 2016, just weeks prior to competing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. With support from medical staff, and adjustments in her training plan, Gray was able to compete at the Rio Games, where she placed seventh with a 1-1 record.

After taking some time off from training after the Olympic Games, Gray had every intention of returning for the 2016-17 international wrestling season. However, the shoulder did not fully recover, in spite of her following a rehabilitation plan.

Gray entered the Bill Farrell Memorial International in New York City in November, and won the gold medal there. However, that competition made it apparent to Gray and her coaches that she was not where she needed to be physically.

"It was important for me to compete in that tournament. It helped me realize that my shoulder was not ready yet," said Gray.

When her shoulder failed to respond, and she could not do normal life activities, let alone practice for wrestling, Gray decided to have surgery on her shoulder. She also had a second surgery to repair a torn meniscus in one of her knees, a procedure which should help improve her performance moving forward.

Since then, Gray has been able to spend some important time away from training and competition, being with family and friends and doing many things she was unable to do while pursuing her international wrestling career. She will also get married this summer. The plan is to return to wrestling when she is able to compete at her best.

Gray has competed on six U.S. World Teams, winning five World medals, in addition to competing at the 2016 Rio Games. Although disappointed that she won't be able to represent the United States at the 2017 World Wrestling Championships in Paris, France in August, she will do everything she can to help Team USA in its preparation for the World meet.

"I plan to go to the national events and be there for whoever is on our team at my weight class. I want to help train them to beat the women from the other countries. I am hopeful that with my help, we can come home from the World Championships with a medal," she said.

A native of Denver, Colo., Gray spent eight years as a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident athlete in Colorado Springs, Colo. She is a recent graduate from Devry University. Gray has not yet decided on where she will train when she returns to competition, but is working on setting up a plan to return to the top of the podium at future World Championship events.

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