Dominant Adeline Gray highlights women's freestyle field at Olympic Team Trials

IOWA CITY — Adeline Gray has become one of the most dominant wrestlers in the world.

At age 25, she has strung together 35 straight wins, including the last two World titles giving her three in the last four years. Add World bronze medals in 2011 and 2013, and you have one of the country's most decorated women's wrestlers.

So, what has been at the heart of the success?

'If I had that answer," Gray said with a laugh, 'I'd be making a lot of money selling books and coaching athletes.'

Gray will attempt to take the first step in becoming the first U.S. female wrestler to claim an Olympic title when she competes in the USA Wrestling Olympic Team Trials on Saturday and Sunday at University of Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Gray was one of two U.S. champions and three medalists at the 2015 World Championships, capturing the 165-pound title and helping the national team place third last September in Las Vegas. She was surrounded by supporters and winning on U.S. soil made it a little more special.

'It was amazing having my family, so many friends and so much of a USA crowd there,' said Gray, who won by technical fall in the final. 'Having them cheer for me was unbelievable. You really can't ask for much more.'

Being perched atop the United World Wrestling rankings comes with a substantial target on her back. She has experienced the challenge of opponents bringing their best to the mat, hoping to record a marquee win. She expects a tough test to earn that spot on the Olympic team.

'You get people's best when they step on the mat with you,' Gray said. 'There is a different mind-set that they have nothing to lose.

'You can't overlook anyone when you're in that top position. It's nice being in the top position from the standpoint that you have that respect from people and they are going to fear you a little bit.'

Gray, 2015 World champion and United World Wrestling's top-ranked 121-pounder Helen Maroulis, returning World bronze medalist Leigh Jaynes-Provisor, World champion Elena Pirozhkova and two-time Olympic team member and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Clarissa Chun are among the current group at the forefront of a boon for women's wrestling.

'It's easy to say that they have me directly to look up to right now, because I'm winning,' said Gray, who has a strong social media presence (@adelinegray on Twitter and adelinegray12 on Instagram. 'I'm kind of pushing those boundaries when it comes to sponsorships and heights female wrestlers haven't seen before, and it's awesome.

'We are living amazing lives that really haven't been an option before this moment for women in sports.'

Women's wrestling has grown to six weight classes. Women have more opportunities than ever, stemming from the sport's overhaul when it had to fight its way back as an Olympic sport in 2013. Men's and women's freestyle and Greco-Roman each have six Olympic weights.

'More is better,' Chun said. 'Unfortunately, the guys have six weights as well. There are a wide range of body types, styles and sizes. I wish we all could get 10 weights.'

USA Wrestling Coach Terry Steiner said female wrestling is one of the fastest growing sports at the high school level and there are more than five times the amount of college programs in the last 14 years.

'I love to see more and more girls out there on the mat,' Chun said. 'It shows our character. I think wrestling is a great sport.'

Chun's Olympic career began in 2008, placing fifth at the Beijing Games. This weekend will mark her fourth Olympic Trials competition and she will attempt to become the first U.S. woman to make three Olympic teams. Women's wrestling was added to the Summer Olympics in 2004.

She has cherished each and is focused on giving her best in her final quad. She will be at 105 1/2, which includes 2015 World team member Alyssa Lampe.

'After my first Olympic experience, I came back and was like I need to figure out a winter sport because I want to be at every single Olympics,' said Chun, Operations Assistant for West Virginia's wrestling team. 'I joked around, saying I needed to figure out getting good at a sport where I could do it until I'm 75 years old.

'A dream of mine would be to go to every Olympics, compete and represent the U.S.'

The women's field has an Iowa flavor as well. Ballard senior Rachel Watters qualified for the 152-pound field. Iowa's first female high school state medalist, Megan Black, who wrestled for Eddyville-Blakesburg and Ottumwa and was a Women's College Wrestling Association national runner-up for McKendree (Ill.) University will compete at 128.

Lauren Louive, who is listed as an assistant at Cornell College, trains with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club. She will compete in the trials at 128.

'It feels good,' said Louive, who wrestled at University of the Cumberlands (Kent.). 'I feel ready to go. I'm comfortable with the arena, the area.'

Louive said the Hawkeye Wrestling Club is a good fit.

'I love it,' Louive said. 'I love the environment, the coaches, atmosphere (and) intensity.'

l Comments: (319) 368-8679; kj.pilcher@thegazette.com