Area High Schools Participating In Target League

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Published on September 26 2023 1:27 pm
Last Updated on September 26 2023 1:27 pm
Written by Millie Lange

The season is underway for 803 student athletes participating in the Illinois State High School Target League (ILSHSCTL) this fall. Those athletes are competing on 43 high school teams across the state.

“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 USA Clay Target League, the program's parent organization.

"Every year 95% of non-graduating students return to participate in the League's programs, and over 12,00 new athletes joined the League this year through their school's teams nationwide. In the League there are no benchwarmers - everyone participates thanks to the efforts of the shooting ranges, coaches, and parents that make teams flourish."

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

About the USA Clay Target League

With over 47,000 participating athletes in the 2022-23 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 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.