SHERWOOD PARK, Canada –  The first three U.S. women’s freestyle wrestlers have weighed in and received their draws for the first day of action at the Women’s World Championships, which start Thursday.

2011 World bronze medalist Adeline Gray (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) opens against Dzhanan Manolova of Bulgaria. Manolova has won two European Junior bronze medals, and has competed in one Senior World Championships.

Gray, who was fifth at the 2009 World Championships, is competing in her third Senior World Championships. She is a past Junior World Champion.

“The biggest thing for all of our athletes, including Adeline, is to make sure she has a great warmup and is ready to battle out there. Nothing will be given to us,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner. “She was third in the World last year . She needs to be ready to go and battle for every point. She is a great competitor.”

Alyssa Lampe (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) will battle Anzhela Dorogan of Azerbaijan in her opening bout at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Dorogan’s best Senior finish was 10th in the 2010 World Championships.

Lampe was a member of the 2010 U.S. World Team at 48 kg, and went up in weight to make her second Senior World Team.

“Alyssa has had a great summer so far. She seems very focused and ready to go. Tomorrow against Azerbaijan, she has to be ready. She is a tough opponent. We need to think we can win this competition. Alyssa is very capable of doing just that.”

2007 U.S. World Team member Leigh Jaynes (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) opens at 59 kg/130 kg with a quarterfinal match against the winner of the match between Michelle Fazzari ofCanada against Munkhtuya Tungalag of Mongolia.

Fazzari was a 2007 Commonwealth champion, and was third in the 2006 Pan American Championships. Tungalag was second in the 2012 Mongolia Open. Both are wrestling in their first Senior World Championships. 

“Leigh has a real chance to do something. She has waited a long time to get back on the World Team. She has been in the mix a long time. She is real hungry and has a real purpose for being here. It is well within her reach to come through this competition.

Coach Steiner looks for a strong start from the first set of athletes.

“We are here to win this thing. We have the athletes that can do it. We need to focus one match at a time and get the job done,” said Steiner.

Competition begins at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday.

WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Sherwood Park, Canada

U.S. women’s freestyle draws for Thursday

51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Alyssa Lampe, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Vs. Anzhela Dorogan (Azerbaijan)

59 kg/130 lbs. – Leigh Jaynes, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Vs.  winner of Michelle Fazzari (Canada) vs. Munkhtuya Tungalag (Mongolia)

67 kg/167.5 lbs. – Adeline Gray, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
Vs.  Dzhanan Manolova (Bulgaria)