Panther Clay Target Team Off With a Bang

Thomas Kolleth ’22

Staff Writer

What is the fastest growing high school extracurricular activity in the United States?

According to the United States High School Clay Target League, the answer is clay target shooting. The sport has grown from 57 teams nationally in 2011 to over 1,300 teams and 30,000 athletes a decade later.

In 2021 Nouvel became one of the latest schools to field a team in this rapidly growing sport. The Panthers are one of more than 80 registered clay target squads in the state.

The Nouvel team has nine students and is coached by Mr. Steven Witten.

In competition, athletes shoot shotguns at moving clay targets and score points based on the number of hits.

The team had a strong first year in the spring league, qualifying for both regional and national championships. Nouvel is currently ranked third in its conference in the 2021 fall trap shooting standings.

Thomas Witten, a member of the squad, said he had high hopes for the team’s success. “We are doing really well.”

Unlike many high school sports, clay target has two seasons, fall and spring. The Nouvel team is always looking for new members. Be on the lookout for more information on the spring season.

Firearms safety is a major priority for the Clay Target League. All participants are required to complete firearms training before participating.