Published on September 17, 2025 2:36 pm
Last Updated on September 17, 2025 2:36 pm
The fall season is underway for 1,103 student athletes on 67 high schools teams participating in Illinois State High School Clay Target League (ILSHSCTL) programs. The ILSHSCTL is a part of the USA Clay Target League, which provides clay target shooting sports as an extracurricular activity to thousands of schools nationwide.
“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.
“Over 13,000 new athletes joined the League across the country through their school’s teams this year, thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches, and parents that make teams flourish.”
Three thousand plus students on 98 high school teams participated in League programs in Illinois in 2025.
From this area, Effingham, Effingham St. Anthony, Altamont, Beecher City, Cumberland, Dieterich, South Central, Stewardson-Strasburg and Teutopolis have teams.
About the USA Clay Target League
With over 55,000 participating athletes in 2025, 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.