Lincoln- Nebraska Rifle coach Mindy Miles announced the signing of pair of student-athletes for the 2022-23 season.
Emma Rhode (Kempton, Pa.) is a senior at Kutztown Area High School. She placed first in air rifle and third in smallbore at the 2021 Women's Junior Olympic state championship. Rhode qualified for the USA Shooting National Junior Olympics in each of the past five years (2017-21) and placed second Virtual CMP Three Position Air Rifle National Championship. She was also the 2020 Junior Pennsylvania State Prone Championship.
"I'm extremely excited and grateful to be joining the team next year," Rhode said. "When I knew I would be visiting Nebraska, I wasn't really sure what to expect because I knew very little about the university. After visiting, however, any skepticism that I had about UNL went away." Rhode listed the support for student-athletes, the welcoming atmosphere of the rifle team and the resources at the university as a few of her reasons for choosing Nebraska.
Tori Watts (Folsom, Calif.) signs with the Huskers, as she attends Vista Del Lago. Watts has enjoyed a decorated career, including the 2021 CMP 3PAR State Championship (595, 45x; 2,363 Team Score), a 2021 Junior Olympics Qualification in Air Rifle 60 Standing (593, 44x), a 2021 Junior Olympic State Championship (593, 46x; 2,361 Team Score), a 2020 CRPA Standing Air Rifle State Championship (591, 44x) and first place at the 2021 Cal Smith Memorial Air Rifle Match (621.9; 2,440 Team Score).
"I really enjoyed the family atmosphere the team had, it was so evident they cared for and supported each other," Watts said of her choice to come to Nebraska. "I not only wanted to shoot in college but also have a great team to compete with. After visiting and seeing the campus, and seeing Coach Miles' enthusiasm about her team, I just knew I would be happy there."
Miles is excited about the potential that the two bring to the team.
"I'm excited to have Emma and Tori join the team. They are great additions because they both have strong characteristics. They bring friendly personalities and positive energy that will work well with the team. Both come from well-established clubs and understand what it takes to work as a team. JT and I are looking forward to coaching them and building them up as strong additions to our team score."
Rhode and Watts will join the team in the fall of 2022.