Lorentz Signs with University of Nebraska-Lincoln

SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake senior Ibby Lorentz signed her national letter of intent to attend University of Nebraska-Lincoln next fall and shoot on their rifle team. After being pursued by five other schools with four offers, Lorentz is excited to be given an athletic scholarship for rifle and a $58,000 four-year academic scholarship from UNL. She sees collegiate shooting as the next step in her goal to someday shoot in the Olympics.

While Lorentz always knew she wanted to go to college, she did not realize that shooting would help her get there. She started shooting small bore and air rifle with the Hellgate Civilian Shooters six years ago and excelled.

"It's been a lot of hard work. Sometimes you think you are not good at all," said Lorentz remembering how she often compared herself to other shooters at the various matches. "But hearing from coaches that they think you would be a good shooter on their team means a lot. I'm doing well and they are interested in having me. It makes me feel pretty good."

"I think sometimes athletics are just an additional motivator to give a kid a reason to really go to a specific school and excel," said Lorentz's father Chris who added Lorentz has always been strong academically and is in the top of her class. "In this day and age, the colleges truly support academics as a key component of bringing an athlete to their school."

Five schools pursued Lorentz and she received scholarship offers from Murray State University in Kentucky, University of Nevada, Reno, Ohio State and UNL. She limited her selection to Ohio State and UNL because of their good shooting ranges and opportunities for academics. After visiting Ohio State and UNL, she preferred the small-town feel at UNL.

"The University of Nebraska had it all. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming," said Lorentz. "I won't fall behind and not have anywhere to go for help. There are a lot of opportunities and a lot of people looking out for you."

The UNL shooting team is an all-girls team. They have plus or minus 12 shooters each year and are currently ranked eighth after the 2018 NCAA small bore championships.

Lorentz said that her season will run throughout the school year. She said summer is considered the off-season. She will be expected to shoot two to three hours per day, six days per week. She will compete in air rifle and small bore.

"Have four different colleges give her offers," said Chris. "That makes me feel proud. I think Nebraska is a great fit for Ibby both athletically and academically. It is going to be a really nice school for her to attend."

"Thank you to the community of Seeley Lake for supporting me and believing in me in shooting and in everything. I don't think I would be where I am today without the community and their support," said Lorentz. "And thank you to my coaches Trace Weisenburger, Gary Swartz and most importantly my dad [Chris Lorentz]."

In addition to Lorentz, senior Abby Donald from the Hellgate Civilian Shooters signed with University of Tennessee Martin to shoot for their rifle team this past October.