Columbus East High School

The Columbus East girls wrestling team enters the 2025–26 season with a rare title to defend — state champions. Last winter, the Olympians made school and state history by capturing the first-ever officially sanctioned IHSAA Girls Wrestling State Championship, marking a milestone moment for both the program and the sport in Indiana. Now, with that championship banner hanging proudly in the wrestling room, East knows the challenge that comes with being the standard everyone else is chasing. Head coach Ty Olds shared thoughts on the team’s mindset, leadership, and expectations heading into the new season. Questions and Answers: Coach Ty Olds Q: How does it feel entering the season as the defending state champions — and the first-ever champions in Indiana girls wrestling history? A: It’s an honor. I think all the girls and coaches felt that, and it was an experience of a lifetime. The girls can hold that forever. But we know there’s a target on our backs, so we have to prepare for that this upcoming season. __ Q: What has been the focus in the offseason to make sure the Olympians stay hungry after reaching the top last year? A: Process over outcome. We’ve focused on getting better every day in the offseason and continuing to build our foundation and culture. Most of the girls understand the mission in front of them — they know they’re trying to fill big shoes. But they’re learning and growing to build an elite mindset and standard we live by. __ Q: Who are some key returners expected to lead the team both on the mat and in the practice room this winter? A: We have some talented returning wrestlers coming back. Tienica Dits and Madison Shrader have really taken leadership roles this season. But we’ve also got other girls stepping up and building up the newer wrestlers. Izzy Wakefield, Ashlee Manis, Kaydence Spradlin, and Luci Morales have taken these girls under their wings to show them the right way to do things and what’s expected when you step into our room. __ Q: With more schools now fielding full girls wrestling teams, how is the growing competition across the state changing your approach this year? A: Nothing changes for us. We believe in our culture; we believe in our mission and vision. We’re always looking inward to improve who we are and what we do. The focus always lies on what we can control instead of what we can’t. It’s part of our overall mindset — be the best version of ourselves, and whatever happens, we hold our heads high. __ Q: What weight classes or areas of the lineup do you expect to be the team’s biggest strengths — and where will new faces need to step up? A: Much like last year, we’re going to be strong in the upper weight classes. Shrader and Spradlin owe a lot of that to the girls last year, like Monica and Grace McMahon, for pushing them every single day. With Saige Plummer joining the coaching staff, I expect a lot of success at the lower and middle weights. Dits will be down low and has been pushing the newer lighter girls. With so many new faces, it’s hard to tell right now who will step up and be that dark horse. Annie Redman is already making a name for herself around the state as a freshman, and Gloria Cloud has been around wrestling for years — she steps right in as a state-level contender. Freshman Breylin Rodriguez and junior Meredith Henry have both put in a lot of time and competed in the offseason. They could both reap the benefits from our Club Valkyrie training. __ Q: What are your goals and expectations for this season — and what would it take for Columbus East to repeat as state champions? A: You can’t replace the girls and team we had last year. What we can do is focus on longevity and continued growth. Our goals are rooted in the process — doing the right things to get better week in and week out. If we prepare like champions, the outcomes will take care of themselves. The Standard Remains High - As the new season approaches, the Olympians once again find themselves in a position of leadership — not just in competition, but as trailblazers for the sport. Under Coach Olds’ direction, the message is clear: stay grounded, stay focused, and let the results follow the work. The rest of the state may be catching up, but Columbus East enters the 2025–26 campaign with the confidence, culture, and discipline of a program built to last. The Olympians open their season on Wednesday, November 5, when they travel for the Jennings/Jeffersonville Dual at Jennings County High School. Action begins at 6:00 PM EST.