Roberts verbally commits to Wartburg

VICTOR — HLV-TC four-sport athlete and defending Class 1A state high jump champion Ema Roberts verbally announced her college commitment earlier this week.

Roberts will be a dual-sport athlete at Wartburg College.

“I felt like I could really fit in and succeed there, not only in sports but also schooling-wise too,” Roberts said.

Roberts also considered the University of Northern Iowa and the University of Missouri.

“I really enjoyed my visits to both of them and am so appreciative of the coaches who let me do so,” Roberts said. “It was definitely a tough decision.”

The opportunity to continue both volleyball and track and field was too much for Roberts to pass up on.

“Going into my senior year I was still very indecisive on whether or not I would be able to handle doing both,” Roberts said. “The coaches and staff reassured me that it was very much possible and even still excel at school while doing so.”

Roberts received the most interest for her high jumping ability in track, but the ability to keep playing her favorite sport was an option only at Wartburg.

“Ultimately, knowing I didn’t have to be done with volleyball is what sold it for me,” Roberts said.

Roberts is set to join one of the best NCAA Division III institutions in athletics. The Knights have a strong history of success across many sports.

The girls’ track team won the American Rivers Conference championship last season and also placed fifth at nationals with 26 points.

With the college decision behind her, Roberts can focus on the rest of her senior year, including girls’ basketball season which began Monday.