The fall season is underway for the USA Clay Target League (USACTL), and the number of student athletes participating speaks volumes about the growing popularity of shooting sports among high school- and college-age students. In all, 16,841 athletes are participating in (USACTL) programs this fall. It is the 31st consecutive season of record-breaking participation since the league was founded in 2008.
“The league provides schools with the opportunity to give their students a place to develop their confidence, sportsmanship and teamwork without the high costs and limited playing opportunities of traditional sports,” said John Nelson, president of the USACTL. “Clay target shooting sports are accessible to everyone, and the opportunity to participate on their school's team influences athletes' lives for the better.”
The athletes are competing on 1,109 high school, college, and homeschool teams nationwide, supported by more than 11,200 coaches, team staff and other volunteers. For high school athletes, their six-week spring season is already underway, and will conclude at the end of October. For college athletes, the league's fall season culminates in the USA College Clay Target League National Championship this Halloween.
“This year, over 13,000 new athletes joined the League through their school’s teams, thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches and parents that make teams flourish,” Nelson said. “More and more colleges and universities are capitalizing on the growth of the league to find and recruit students looking to further their education. By providing clay target sports, they’re providing an appealing, well-rounded education experience to their prospective students.”
With more than 55,000 participating athletes in 2025, the 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 post-secondary schools across the country. The league is the only 100-percent school-approved clay target shooting sport program in America.
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