Scholastic Clay Target Program National Championships slated for July in Ohio

Marengo, Ohio — The Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) is anticipating higher attendance at its National Championships this year as shooters, coaches, and staff celebrate a major milestone.

“As this is the 25th anniversary of the SCTP, we are anticipating that attendance will be higher than last year. Online registration opens on June 1 for SCTP and May 24 for SASP,” said Wayne Rasmussen, SCTP national director.

In 2001, the National Shooting Sports Foundation launched the SCTP as a scholastic trapshooting program. It soon was expanded to include sporting clays and skeet. Then, in 2007, the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation (SSSF) was established to run the program.

In 2012, the SSSF began a new action pistol shooting program called the Scholastic Pistol Program. This program was expanded to include rimfire rifle and was rebranded as the Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) in 2016.

This year, the National Championships are being held from July 11 through July 18.

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Each year, the National Championships for both the SCTP and SASP programs are held at the Cardinal Shooting Center in Marengo. Over the past few years, the championships have expanded to also include international shooting events. Youth shooters ranging in age from sixth grade to college compete in the SCTP and SASP programs.

The SSSF National Championships demonstrate how popular youth shooting has become with more than 3,000 young shooters competing each year. They come from all across the country with their parents, grandparents, coaches, and other spectators who cheer them on. Parking is free and there is no admission fee for spectators who wish to watch the competition or shop at the dozens of vendors at the Cardinal Center.

Coaches and parents proudly say that participation in the SSSF programs benefit the young shooters in many ways.

“The SSSF is a youth development program that uses shooting sports to teach sportsmanship, responsibility, honesty, and other positive life skills through a competitive environment,” Rasmussen said.

Scholastic Action Shooting Program

The SASP provides youth with the opportunity to participate in team-based action shooting sports using rifles and pistols in several different divisions.

The Rookie Division, for grades five and below, is a rifle only competition. The Intermediate Division (grades six through eight) and Senior Division (grades nine through 12) and Collegiate Division athletes compete in both rifle and handgun competitions.

Scholastic Clay Target Program

The SCTP student athletes compete in several different shotgun sports, including the Olympic disciplines of bunker trap, trap doubles, and international skeet. The international competitions will be held on July 8, 9, and 10. The SCTP international program is a feeder program for Team USA to develop future Olympic shooters. Shooters who compete at the National Championships may be eligible to join the SCTP International Team and participate in competitions around the world.

Beginning on July 11, shotgun sports athletes will compete in trap, skeet, sporting clays, and make-a-break. These American-style events will conclude on July 19.

Just as the Olympics has a parade of nations, the SSSF Nationals features a Parade of States/Teams as part of its opening ceremonies on Wednesday, July 15. It will be held at 5:30 p.m. at the grandstands.

One of the highlights of the evening is the SCTP Last Competitor Standing event. This shoulder to shoulder competition is extremely popular with the student shooters and spectators. It is held on the trap range immediately following the opening ceremonies.

College Day

In addition to the growth in youth shooting programs at gun clubs and high schools, more colleges and universities are offering scholarships and team sports opportunities in the shooting sports. To help young shooters learn about these opportunities, the SSSF holds a College Day program. Shooters and their parents can learn about collegiate shooting programs and meet coaches and college athletes. Last year, 23 colleges and universities set up tables and met with young shooters and their parents.

SCTP and SASP athletes and their families also have an opportunity to shop for firearms, apparel, hearing and eye protection, and more during the National Championships. There are dozens of vendors at the Cardinal Shooting Center in the vendor buildings as well as in tents and trailers set up behind the trapshooting line. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of SCTP, Rasmussen said they will have some special logoed products from their sponsors as well as T-shirts and hats for purchase.

Fundraising Fun Shoots Open To Public

Local shooters who would like to support youth shooting can participate in two special fundraisers being held at Cardinal Shooting Center during the SSSF National Championships.

There is a charity five-stand tournament on Wednesday, July 15, and Thursday, July 16, and a registered sporting clays tournament on Friday, July 17, and Saturday, July 18. Both fundraisers support the Scholastic Shooting Sports Foundation programs and the Kids and Clays Foundation, which benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities.