Clay target shooting is one of the fastest-growing high school sports in America, and the 2026 USA High School Clay Target League National Championship showed why.
The championship
The event was held July 8 to 12, 2026, at the Michigan Trapshooting Association grounds in Mason, Michigan. According to Hunting Life, nearly 3,000 athletes from 469 high schools took part in team and individual qualifying.
- On Friday, 236 five-athlete teams shot, and the top 80 advanced.
- About 1,800 athletes shot Saturday, and the top 400 advanced to Sunday’s championship rounds.
The champions
- Male individual: Nevyn Hengel of Sibley East High School in Minnesota shot a perfect 100 in the final, then won a shoot-off against the other perfect scorers.
- Female individual: Alexis Stupi of Aquinas High School in Wisconsin shot 99, edging Nina Slingsby of Richfield–Academy of Holy Angels in Minnesota, who also shot 99, on her reverse run.
- Team: Fall River High School in Wisconsin won with 485 out of 500. Four teams tied for second at 484.
About the league
The USA High School Clay Target League is a nonprofit that offers trap, skeet, sporting clays and 5-stand leagues to schools. Every team must be approved by its school, and the league expects more than 57,000 athletes to participate in 2026. Its stated priorities are safety, fun and marksmanship, in that order.
Why it matters
Clay target leagues have done something many sports can’t: they include students who don’t play traditional sports, and they let girls and boys compete on the same field. They also teach responsibility. Students handle firearms under strict safety rules, show up for practice and learn to manage pressure.
How to start a team in North Carolina
- Talk to your school. The league requires school approval. Bring the athletic director information about safety rules and insurance.
- Find a range. Teams practice at local trap or sporting clays ranges, which are often eager to host.
- Recruit coaches. Parents and community volunteers with shooting experience make it work. Coaches go through background checks and training.
- Plan for costs. Families cover shells, targets and league fees. Many teams raise funds or find local sponsors.
If you are a business owner or outdoorsman, sponsoring a local team is one of the best investments you can make in the future of the shooting sports.
