Eagan, Minnesota – The season is underway for 39,069 student athletes participating in USA Clay Target League (USACTL) programs this spring. Those athletes are competing on 1,973 high school, college, and homeschool teams nationwide, supported by over 11,200 coaches, team staff, and other volunteers. This is the 30th consecutive season of record-breaking participation since the League was founded in 2008.
“The League provides schools with the opportunity to give their students an place to develop their confidence, sportsmanship, and teamwork without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional sports. Clay target shooting sports are accessible to everyone, and the opportunity to participate on their school’s team influences athlete’s lives for the better.” said John Nelson, President of the USACTL.
“This spring over 9,000 new athletes joined the League through their school’s teams, thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches, and parents that make teams flourish.”
For high school athletes, their nine-week spring season is already underway, and will conclude May 25th. Tens of thousands of athletes will participate in State Tournaments across the country in June, with the top athletes in the nation eligible to compete at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship in July.
College athletes compete in a shorter season in the spring, and return to compete in the fall season, culminating in the USA College Clay Target League National Championship in October. The League saw a 19% increase in collegiate athlete participation this season, with a similar increase in the total number of college teams
“More and more colleges and universities are capitalizing on the growth of the League to find and recruit students looking to further their education,” said Nelson. “By providing clay target sports they’re providing an appealing, well-rounded education experience to their prospective students.
About the USA Clay Target League
With over 54,000 participating athletes in the 2024-25 school year, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is America’s largest clay target shooting organization. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.
The League the only 100% school-approved clay target shooting sport program in America. Every team must have school approval to participate. Most participating schools have lettering programs as well as yearbook inclusion for the teams. In addition, tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships are provided to qualifying seniors by the League and post-secondary institutions each year.
The League’s co-ed and adaptive nature are key attractions to schools nationwide: it’s fully Title IX compliant with both male and female athletes competing on the same team, and it’s an ‘adaptive’ sport, which allows students with physical disabilities to take part.
The League’s priorities are safety, fun, and marksmanship – in that order.
The League is the safest sport in school, with not one reported injury since the inception of the League in 2001. Each athlete must complete firearm safety certification before participation.
Visit http://usaclaytarget.com for more information.
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