Over 11,500 students to participate in clay target league this spring
Sports | Published on April 22, 2025 at 2:46pm EDT | Author: frazeevergas
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The season is underway for 11,557 student athletes participating in the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League (MNSHSCTL) programs this spring. Those athletes are competing on 435 high school teams across the state, supported by thousands of coaches, team staff and other volunteers. The league is one of the largest high school sports in the state, with more participants than both boys and girls high school hockey, combined.
“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.
The high school athletes’ nine-week spring season is already underway, and will conclude May 25. Over 8,000 are then expected to participate in Championship events in June, with the top athletes in the nation eligible to compete at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship in July.
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 is the only 100 percent 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 www.mn.usaclaytarget.com for more information.