Gustavus Adolphus College

Coley Ries Welter will enter her fifth season as head coach of the Gustavus Adolphus College softball team in the 2024-25 academic year. Ries Welter was announced as the program's head coach in the fall of 2020. 

In her first season at the helm, Ries Welter guided the team to a 17-17 overall record, and 8-14 (eighth) record in MIAC play. Ries Welter improved the team's conference standing the following year, finishing 10-12 in the MIAC, before guiding the Gusties to a memorable season in 2023, finishing with an overall record of 24-18 and MIAC finish of 14-8 (fourth). The 2023 Gusties defeated nationally-ranked No. 14 Saint Benedict, hosted the first ever home playoff game at the Gustie Softball Field, and won a MIAC playoff game for the first time since 2015. Ries Welter coached four individuals to 2023 All-Conference selections, but the awards season was highlighted by Greta Dahlen (West Des Moines, Iowa) who was selected as the 2023 Rawlings Gold Glove Award winner for right field, making Gustavus and MIAC history as the first to ever receive the honor.

Ries Welter and the Gusties impressed further in 2024, posting their best MIAC record since the 2016 season, finishing tied for fourth with a record of 17-5 after an historic three-way regular season tie. The Gusties won a game against every conference opponent, including a sweep of No. 10 nationally-ranked Bethel, and splits with MIAC Champions Saint Mary's and Saint Benedict. The 2024 season marked the third in a row under Head Coach Coley Ries Welter that the Gusties have finished with double-digit league wins. Four athletes earned MIAC All-Conference honors, while the Gustie pitching crew led the league in team ERA in the MIAC regular season.

Prior to taking the position at Gustavus, Ries Welter spent three years as a volunteer and graduate assistant coach at her alma mater, Minnesota State University-Mankato. During this time, Ries Welter served as the primary pitching coach for the Mavericks, helping the team achieve an overall record of 89-41. While on the Mavericks’ coaching staff, Ries Welter operated the team’s social media accounts, organized fundraisers, and compiled scouting reports on opposing teams.

Ries Welter, a 2017 graduate of MSU-Mankato, was a standout pitcher for the Mavericks, compiling a wealth of achievements as a player. As the ace of the pitching staff, Ries Welter led the Mavericks to the 2017 NCAA Division II national championship where she posted a 41-3 overall record with a 1.05 ERA while striking out 476 batters in 294.2 innings. After going 5-0 at the national tournament with a 1.20 ERA and 50 strikeouts, Ries Welter earned Most Outstanding Player honors. She was named the 2017 NFCA Division II Player of the Year and the D2CCA Pitcher of the Year. Ries Welter also earned CoSIDA Academic All-America honors, was a two-time All-American, two-time Central Region Pitcher of the Year, and three-time NSIC Pitcher of the Year. Following her 2017 graduation, Ries Welter played professional softball for the Texas Charge, Chicago Bandits, and the Aussie Spirit.

Ries Welter and her husband Alex reside in Mankato and are expecting their first child in September of 2024.