Nation's Top College Athletes To Compete at 2026 USACCTL National Championship

Posted on: Oct 26, 2026

Nation's Top College Athletes To Compete at 2026 USACCTL National Championship

Bunker Hill, IL – Athletes representing 25 colleges and universities from 10 states are getting ready to compete at the 2026 USA College Clay Target League (USACCTL) National Championship this weekend.

The USACCTL National Championship will be held at the Brittany Shooting Park outside of Bunker Hill, Illinois, October 30th–November 1st. The Championship features 189 college athletes competing over two days to determine the top athletes and teams in the country.

"Every year more and more colleges and universities are discovering what clay target shooting sports can add to campus life," said John Nelson, President of the USA Clay Target League, which oversees the USA College Clay Target League. "The League is proud to provide these institutions a safe, proven program that engages students, builds community, and enhances their educational experience."

969 student athletes representing 89 college and university teams across the country participated in USA College Clay Target League programs this fall.

The 2026 USACCTL National Championship is proudly sponsored by The 1791 Foundation, Do-All Outdoors, Ducks Unlimited, Winchester, SoundGear, SCHEELS, Walker's, Strike Visuals, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Friends of NRA.

Make sure to follow the USACCTL Facebook page for daily photos and videos!

Friday, October 30th: Team Check-In & Practice, along with the League's Cosmic Clays event, featuring a bonfire and more fun activities!

Saturday, October 31st: Opening Ceremony at 8:45 AM, followed by Competition Day 1 - All athletes will shoot 100 targets. An "Annie Oakley" contest will take place for coaches and athletes after the day's competition concludes.

Sunday, November 1st: Competition Day 2 - All athletes will shoot 100 targets. The title of National Champion will be based on the cumulative totals for the two days of competition.

The following schools have registered to compete in the 2026 College National Championship:

Alfred State College (NY)
Allen Community College (KS)
Bethany Lutheran College (MN)
Bismarck State College (ND)
Blackburn College (IL)
Blackhawk Technical College (WI)
Concordia College of Moorhead (MN)
Ferris State University (MI)
Finger Lakes Community College (NY)
Grand View University (IA)
Illinois College (IL)
Lake Area Technical College (SD)
Lake Land College (IL)
Maine Maritime Academy (ME)
McPherson College (KS)
Mid Michigan College (MI)
Mohawk Valley Community College (NY)
Montcalm Community College (MI)
Paul Smith's College (NY)
Southwest Wisconsin Technical College (WI)
SUNY Delhi (NY)
University of Mary (ND)
Valley City State University (ND)
Western Michigan University (MI)
Western Technical College (WI)

Find the schedule and field assignments for the event here: https://college.usaclaytarget.com/college-national-championship-field-assignments/

About the USA Clay Target League

With over 55,000 participating athletes in 2025, 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 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.

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 college.usaclaytarget.com for more information.