Gray, Smith receive AAC Athlete Leadership Award, presented by the Greg Strobel Leadership Academy

Adeline Gray, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Robby Smith, of Evanston, Illinois, received the fifth annual Athlete Advisory Committee (AAC) Athlete Leadership Award, presented by the Greg Strobel Leadership Academy, at the 2026 U.S. Open Championships in Las Vegas, Nev.

Each year, one male and one female USA Wrestling athlete are recognized for their leadership in the sport and service to USA Wrestling. In addition to their award, both Gray and Smith will receive a $1,500 stipend from the Greg Strobel Leadership Academy.

Gray and Smith are each receiving this award for the first time in recognition of their diligent leadership within USA Wrestling. Both are current members of the USA Wrestling Board of Directors.

Gray currently serves on the AAC, specifically as the women’s freestyle representative, a position she will hold through 2028. Additionally, she serves on the Finance Committee, the Women’s Freestyle Sports Committee and the Long Range Planning Committee. Gray is a staunch supporter of women’s inclusion and a vocal advocate for women’s athletes, coaches and officials.

Smith is in his first term as an At-Large representative on the AAC through 2027 and currently serves as the Interim Chairperson. In addition to the AAC, he is also a member of the Greco-Roman Sports Committee, the Women’s Freestyle Sports Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee and the Officials Committee (USWOA).

Gray was a highly decorated member of Team USA and represented her country at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, the latter of which she earned a silver medal in the 76 kg division. Her six gold medals at the World Championships stand tied for the most by any U.S. wrestler, male or female. Gray also won three bronze medals at the Senior World Championship and holds the record for most medals at that level by a U.S. female representative (9).

Smith is a renowned former Greco-Roman competitor for the U.S. and was a 2016 Olympian in the 130 kg weight class. He appeared at four Senior World Championships and earned a bronze medal at the 2015 Pan American Games. Further, he was a five-time medalist at the Pan American Championships, including one gold medal in 2015. In 2025, United World Wrestling officially recognized Smith as a bronze medalist at the 2015 World Championships.

This is the fifth year in which the Athlete Leadership Award has been presented.

For more information regarding the Greg Strobel Leadership Academy, visit:

https://www.themat.com/donate/greg-strobel-leadership-academy

Athlete Advisory Committee Leadership Award winners:

2022 – John Stefanowicz & Veronica Carlson

2023 – Mallory Velte & Nate Engel

2024 – Mallory Velte & John Stefanowicz

2025 – Nate Engel & Dymond Guilford

2026 – Adeline Gray & Robby Smith