Athletics

Beyond the Target

N Our Voice by Emma Rhode

Beyond the TargetAverie Frye

It all began on the back of my grandfather’s old trailer.

On one end of the trailer, my grandfather and I would sit with a BB gun. 

On the other, a worn-out cardboard box with a makeshift target. 

That box took a beating, and so did the cabinets—each dent telling the story of a shot gone slightly astray. 

But to me, those were more than just wayward shots. 

They were the first steps in what would become a lifelong passion.

As I grew older, shooting became more than a pastime. 

It became part of who I was. 

My dad started taking me hunting, and before long, it was clear that handling a rifle came naturally to me. 

Yet, it wasn’t until fifth grade that I discovered shooting could be more than just a skill—it could be a sport.

My dad saw potential in me and believed I could take my shooting to a competitive level. That’s when fate stepped in. 

Family friends introduced me to precision rifle competitions, and one night, they took me to a practice. 

I was just eleven years old, but I remember the moment like it was yesterday. 

The sound of the shots, the intense focus, the challenge—it all clicked for me.

From that day on, I was hooked.

 

Finding My Home in Nebraska 

When I realized competitive shooting was something I wanted to pursue beyond high school, I started looking for the right college program. 

By my junior year, I was visiting schools and talking to coaches, trying to find the place that felt like home.

Nebraska was one of my first visits, and I’ll never forget it.

One moment in particular has stuck with me. 

During my visit, they took me to a volleyball game, and I happened to sit next to a lady in the stands. 

She struck up a conversation and asked what had brought me to Nebraska. 

When I told her I was on a recruiting visit, she did something that still amazes me to this day. 

She grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, jotted down her number, and said, “If you end up coming here and ever need anything, text or call me.”

It was such a simple gesture, but it meant everything. 

That kind of warmth, that sense of community—it told me everything I needed to know about Nebraska.

 

A Team Like No Other 

People often think of shooting as an individual sport, and in many ways, it is. 

When you're on the line, it's just you and your rifle. 

But what people don’t see is the team standing behind you, the ones who push you to be better, who celebrate your wins and lift you up after losses.

Our team chemistry is something special. 

If we're not competing, we're training together, hanging out, or simply supporting each other in any way we can. 

When your teammates feel good, you shoot better. 

That’s just how it works. 

The trust, the camaraderie, the shared commitment—those are the things that make this more than just a sport. 

It makes it a family.

And of course we have the amazing guidance from our coaches. 

They see the things we don’t, guiding us through challenges, helping us refocus when we get in our own heads. 

Their support is just as critical as any practice session or competition. 

They don’t just shape us as athletes—they shape us as people.

 

Breaking Records and Making History 

A few weekends ago, we broke a school record.

We scored 4,731 to win a four-team event in West Point, New York. 

I ended up winning all three events of the day, tied my own personal best of 1,193, and posted the second-highest smallbore score in program history, too.

It was a moment I’ll never forget—but not just for the reason you might think.

I didn’t even realize I had done it at first. 

I was so focused on staying in the moment, on executing each shot, that I wasn’t paying attention to the bigger picture. 

It wasn’t until my coaches told me afterward that it sank in.

It was an incredible feeling, but more than anything, it was a moment of gratitude. 

All the hours of training, all the ups and downs—it had all led to that moment. 

To know that my name would be etched in Nebraska’s athletic history, in a place that meant so much to me, was humbling.

The Journey Ahead 

Now, as I head into my senior year, I find myself reflecting on this journey—the late nights of training, the friendships forged, the lessons learned. 

I have just one year left, and my goal is simple: enjoy every second of it.

Competitive shooting is such a unique sport, one that requires immense discipline, patience, and mental strength. 

The focus it demands has shaped me in ways I never expected, not just as an athlete, but as a student and as a person.

I don’t take any of it for granted. 

The people I’ve met, the experiences I’ve had, and the opportunities I’ve been given—they’ve all played a part in making me who I am today.

As for the future? I don’t know exactly where this path will lead me, but I do know this: I’m going to make the most of every shot I take. 

And I’ll always be grateful for where this journey started—in a trailer with my grandfather, a BB gun, and a cardboard box.