High School Clay Target League Fall Season Underway

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Published on September 22 2022 6:17 am
Last Updated on September 22 2022 6:18 am

The Fall Season is underway for 614 student athletes participating in the Illinois State High School Clay Target League (ILSHSCTL) fall program, which is part of the USA Clay Target League. The athletes are competing on 40 high school teams statewide.

“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.
“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.”

Area teams include Effingham, Effingham St. Anthony, Altamont, Beecher City, Brownstown, Cumberland, Dieterich, Newton, St. Elmo, Stewardson-Strasburg and Teutopolis.

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.