Eagan, Minnesota – The new season is underway for the 31,688 student-athletes participating in the USA Clay Target League (USACTL) this spring. Those athletes compete on the 1,466 high school, college, and homeschool teams participate in the program nationwide.
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“We are excited to have broken our records for high school, college, and homeschool participation this season.” said John Nelson, President of the USACTL, “There is such a high demand for outdoor activities that are an alternative to traditional sports, kudos to the coaches and parents that make these teams possible.”
The students’ 9-week season began in late March with the first of two practice weeks to get them warmed up. Weekly competition begins on the 17th of April, with a final ‘fun week’ in mid-May. The season culminates with tournaments held in June, and high school athletes with top season averages will be invited to register for the USA High School Clay Target League’s National Championship held in Michigan every July.
The USA College Clay Target League’s Spring Season is two weeks shorter to accommodate schools’ schedules. The USACCTL National Tournament is held in November after the College League’s Fall Season.
“Athletes of all types are able to participate in clay target shooting,” said Nelson, “The League has a ‘no benchwarmers’ philosophy, and the League’s True Team® scoring system is designed so that everyone’s score matters, not just the top athletes on a team.”
About the USA Clay Target League
With over 43,000 participating athletes in the 2021-2022 school year, the non-profit USA Clay Target League is the largest youth clay target shooting sport program in the world. The League offers trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.
The League is the only 100% school-approved clay target shooting sport program in America and the League’s co-ed and adaptive nature are key attractions to schools nationwide. The League is fully Title IX compliant with both male and female athletes competing on the same team. Additionally, 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.
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