“Pull!” Eastern Oregon high school clay shooters ready for spring season
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, May 5th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – The Oregon State High School Clay Target League reports that at least 14 teams from Eastern Oregon will be competing in the spring season. The organization reported, “A number of new teams were started nationwide, including in Oregon, as schools took advantage of the League’s offer to start a team for free.”
Below, find a full list of Eastern Oregon teams participating, along with the ORSHSCTL press release:
Eastern Oregon teams:
Arlington High School
Baker High School
Crane Union High School
Echo High School
Heppner High School
Hermiston High School
Imbler High School
Ione Public Charter School
La Grande High School
McLoughlin High School
North Powder High School
Ontario High School
Pendleton High School
Pilot Rock High School
Silvies River Charter School
Ukiah High School
Umatilla High School
Union High School
Wallowa High School
Weston-McEwen High School
(Press Release from the Oregon State High School Clay Target League)
The season is underway for 1,122 student athletes participating in the Oregon State High School Clay Target League (ORSHSCTL) programs this spring. Those athletes are competing on 60 high school teams across the state, supported by hundreds of coaches, team staff, and other volunteers. The ORSHSCTL is a part of the USA Clay Target League (USACTL), which provides extracurricular shooting sports programs to schools in over 40 states.
“Schools want 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. “Everyone can participate in clay target sports, and it’s clear that the opportunity for students to participate on their school’s team influences athletes’ lives for the better.”
A number of new teams were started nationwide, including in Oregon, as schools took advantage of the League’s offer to start a team for free. Details on that program can be found at https://or.usaclaytarget.com/start-a-team
The high school athletes’ nine-week spring season is already underway, and will conclude May 24th. Most participants are then expected to participate in the State Tournament in June, with the top athletes in the nation eligible to compete at the USA High School Clay Target League National Championship in July.
About the USA Clay Target League
The non-profit USA Clay Target League provides clay target shooting sports opportunities to over 56,000 students on over 2,000 school-approved teams across America each year. Including trap, skeet, sporting clays, and 5-stand programs, the League is the leading provider of clay target shooting sports to secondary and post-secondary schools across the country.
The League is 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.
Learn how to start a team at your school!
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 https://or.usaclaytarget.com for more information.
