FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20th, 2022
Eagan, Minnesota – The Fall Season is underway for 13,214 student athletes participating in USA Clay Target League (USACTL) programs this fall. Those athletes are competing on 761 high school, college, and homeschool teams nationwide.
“The League continues to break records each year,” said John Nelson, President of the USACTL, “The high demand for outdoor activities that are an alternative to traditional sports proves that young people want to get outside and enjoy safe and fun activities with their peers. Thanks to the efforts of volunteer coaches and parents, these team are possible”
The students’ six-week season began on Sunday with a practice week to get them warmed up and to record reserve scores in case of weather or other issues. Weekly competition begins on the September 25th, and top scoring teams and athletes will be recognized at the completion of fall competition in October.
The USA College Clay Target League (USACCTL) National Championship will be held the first week in November, after the conclusion of the College League’s Fall Season. Tournaments and championships for high school league participants are held in early summer.
“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 just under 45,000 participating athletes in 2022, 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.