Students from 873 high schools participated in fall trap

The season is complete and the awards are on their way for 15,823 student athletes that participated in USA Clay Target League (USACTL) programs this fall. Those athletes are competing on 873 high school, college, and homeschool teams nationwide.

“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.” said John Nelson, President of the USACTL. “Every year 95 percent 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. In the league there are no benchwarmers—everyone participates thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches, and parents that make teams flourish.”

With over 52,000 participating athletes in 2024, 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.