Lady Knights Wrestling: A New Era and a New Coach

By Jeremy Carter

Coach Ryan Schultz (Center) is headed into his first full year of coaching the lady knights in the '25-'26 season after stepping in as the interim head coach at the middle point of the season last year.

When you step into the Severance Girls wrestling room this year, there is a spark that wasn’t there before. In only his first full year as head coach, Ryan Schultz has watched the Lady Silver Knights transform from a promising young program into a unit brimming with confidence, leadership, and genuine belief. This year’s group isn’t just bigger in number — it’s bigger in ambition.

“The attitude of my team is positive, and they seem excited to get to work,” Schultz said, smiling in the way a coach does when he knows something special is brewing.

And he should smile. The Lady Knights have doubled their roster from last season. More bodies in the room. More competition. More accountability. More hunger. And maybe most importantly — more leaders.

The '24-'25 season saw the Lady Silver Knights take the region 4 Title. This year, many of these ladies return with a dearth of new talent that will help to see an improvement in the overall lineup.

A Program Reborn: Confidence, Chemistry, and the Power of a Bigger Room

Ask Coach Schultz what’s different from last season, and he doesn’t hesitate:

“Numbers — I have double the girls this year. They seem more confident, and I’m seeing athletes really stepping up as leaders. Their skill set has greatly improved.”

Growth is one thing. But meaningful growth — the kind that changes a team — is something else entirely.

The Lady Knights spent their summer working. Grinding. Traveling. Competing in freestyle tournaments. And that grind wasn’t wasted.

“Hard work in the offseason will always pay off and people will notice. The ladies put in a lot of hard work over the summer and it shows.”

And it has reshaped the identity of this program.

Champions On and Off the Mat: The Identity of the Lady Knights

When people watch Severance Girls Wrestling this season, Coach Schultz wants the message to be unmistakable:

“Confident, respectful, and humble. Champions on and off the mat.”

That identity isn’t an aspiration anymore. It’s visible — in the way they drill, the way they communicate, the way they hold each other accountable.

“All my returners have shown leadership with their work ethic. They are focused, pushing each other, and holding everyone accountable — including themselves.”

This is not the same team from last season. This is a team built on belief, unity, and daily discipline.

Leadership by Example: The Rise of Eila and the Returners

The Lady Knights may have doubled in size, but the foundation of the program still lies in its experienced core — a group of returning wrestlers who have decided, collectively, that winning is built from the inside out.

“They’ve all stepped up,” Schultz said when asked about leadership. “Their work ethic sets the tempo.”

Eila Schultz came out as a freshman last year and dominated her way to a state title. Look for her to repeat after a solid summer of work and a trip to Fargo.

And then there’s Eila Schultz, a returning CHSAA champion with the potential to be one of the most influential leaders in the state.

Coach Schultz’s expectations for her aren’t based on volume or speeches — they’re based on character.

“Eila’s leadership will be done through actions — hard work, confidence, respect, and humility.”

In short: the exact traits this program is growing toward.

Internal Competition: Iron Sharpens Iron

One of the biggest changes in the room this year is also one of the most exciting: competition.

Real competition.

“The team is fired up this year and competitive in the room,” Schultz said. “This is making them better.”

More girls in the room means more battles for starting spots. More challenges. More breakthroughs.

And that creates a training environment built for greatness.

Technique, Mental Toughness, and the Foundation of a Champion

When asked what he’s focusing on in preseason, Schultz gives two answers that reveal his coaching philosophy:

Technique development and mental toughness.

Success requires both. And he refuses to let one outpace the other.

“I try to get my athletes to where they need to be by building self-confidence and belief in themselves daily,” he said. “Team unity has been my focus — this is key for ongoing success.”

That unity isn’t just a slogan. It’s a weapon. A team with genuine trust can weather any schedule, survive any challenge, and rise to any moment.

The Season Ahead: Every Test Matters

Unlike some programs that circle one or two marquee events, Coach Schultz refuses to look past anything.

“Every competition is equally important.”

Why?

Because this is a team built for continuous growth, not sporadic highlights.

Every match is a rep. Every tournament is a lesson. Every opponent is a steppingstone.

“These ladies will always be improving. They will face many challenges, but they need to figure out how to lock in every time — no matter the circumstances.”

And the end goal?

“State Champions. I believe we have the warriors to get there and continue for years to come.”

Notice he didn’t say “hope. "

He didn’t say “maybe. "

He said “believe.”

The Lady Knights believe too.

A Program on the Rise — And a Community Ready to Rally Behind Them

Severance is becoming a known name in Colorado wrestling. They enter the season as the coaches pick at #3 in the state — and the girls are a major reason why.

As the Lady Knights open this new chapter, Coach Schultz hopes they’ll be remembered for four things:

Hard work. Confidence. Respect. Humility.

Those four pillars are becoming the identity of the program — and the legacy they aim to build long after this season ends.

His final message to the parents, fans, and community?

“Come out and support these ladies! Keep an eye on Severance Lady Knights. This team will accomplish high goals.”

The future isn’t coming. The future is here. And it’s wearing Silver and Navy.