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The popularity of clay target shooting among high and college school students shows no signs of slowing down.
A record 15,823 student-athletes participated in USA Clay Target League (USACTL) programs this fall. They competed on 873 high school, college, and homeschool teams nationwide. All told, the league counts more than 52,000 participants in programs throughout 2024.
“Athletes and parents want safe, school-based, non-traditional outdoor activities in which to participate. The league’s school-approved programs provide a sense of team, belonging and camaraderie without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional high school sports,” John Nelson, USACTL president, said in a statement. The league is considered the largest clay target shooting organization in the country, offering trap, skeet, sporting clays and 5-stand leagues to secondary and postsecondary schools across the country.
“Every year, 95% of non-graduating students return to participate in the League’s programs, and over 13,000 new athletes joined the league this year through their school’s teams,” Nelson continued. “In the league there are no benchwarmers — everyone participates, thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches and parents that make teams flourish.”
At the high school level, every team must have school approval to participate, males and females compete on the same team, students with physical disabilities are encouraged to participate, and most schools that offer the sport have lettering programs and yearbook inclusion for teams, according to the Minnesota-based USACTL. What’s more, tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships are provided to qualifying seniors by the league and post-secondary institutions each year. And there’s has not been a single reported injury since the league’s inception in 2001, league officials note, adding that each athlete must complete firearm safety certification prior to participating.
Minnesota was the first state to introduce high school clay target shooting and held its inaugural state competition in 2009.
“With overall participation in high school sports in the U.S. hitting an all-time high during the 2023-24 school year, the USA Clay Target League offers an alternative to traditional pastimes like baseball, basketball and football,” notes the website for the National Rifle Association’s Shooting Sports USA. “In 2024, more than 13,000 new student-athletes joined the USA Clay Target League through their school teams. Plus, there were more than 1,800 registered student-athletes from 456 high schools that competed at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship held in Michigan this past July.”
Some high school clay target shooters go on to compete in college. During the first week of November, more than 210 athletes and teams representing 18 colleges and universities from across the country participated at the 2024 USA College Clay Target League National Championship in Bunker Hill, Ill. — just north of St. Louis.
Earlier this year, USACTL launched an interactive learning website for its SAFE (Student Athlete Firearm Education) and CLASS (Coach Leadership And Safety Support) certification programs focused specifically on athlete and coach clay target education and training.
The 19-lesson SAFE and 37-lesson CLASS online training features informative videos, graphics and diagrams, interactive modules, audio recordings and clay target-related photos presented in mobile-friendly components.
“We’ve delivered what the clay target shooting sport industry has always wanted — an easily-accessible, comprehensive, and very affordable online learning platform” Nelson said. “Learners can access the SAFE or CLASS certification courses for only $25 each, and new league head coaches receive both programs for free.”
Wapakoneta (Ohio) High School marked its inaugural clay shooting season this fall with a co-ed team for students in grades eight through 12. Even those who had never fired a gun joined, according to Wapakoneta junior Mason Becker, who hatched the idea to start a team at the school after seeing news reports of how the sport was gaining popularity at schools around the country.
“I enjoy shooting very much, and ever since I was a boy, my father has taken me hunting and fishing … and I’ve really enjoyed those experiences,” Becker told a local TV news station. “So, that’s the main reason why I’ve wanted to start this.”
The Wapakoneta High School team is supported by the local Lima SABRES Shooting Association with grants from the NRA.
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