Minnesota State High School League to partner in first ever trapshooting state tournament

SAINT PAUL, Minn., June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Youth trapshooting achieves a new milestone with the Minnesota State High School League's presenting partnership with the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League at the 2014 State Tournament on June 14, 2014 at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake, Minnesota.

Twenty-four teams and 104 individuals will compete in the country's first and only trapshooting state tournament that is partnered with a state high school interscholastic activity association.

"One of our goals was to explore the potential assimilation of education-based competitions to enhance opportunities for students and member schools," said Dave Stead, Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School League. "With the continuing success of the clay target league, this state tournament helps achieve our goals," Stead said.

Individuals qualifying for the state tournament earned their invitation by placing in the top 100 out of 6,100 students athletes using their overall average of targets hit each week in the five-week spring season. Teams qualified by earning top achievements in their designated classes at the 2014 Championship held in Alexandria, Minnesota June 6-10, 2014 where more than 3,500 student athletes participated.

"We have worked closely with the Minnesota State High School League since 2001 to provide this co-ed activity to schools and their students," said Jim Sable, Executive Director of the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League. "On behalf of all the athletes, parents, coaches, schools and the clay target league, we appreciate the Minnesota State High School League's partnership and support in recognizing these trapshooting individuals and teams just like all other high school sports," Sable said.

Generous supporters for this historic state tournament are Wells Fargo and Cabela's Outdoor Fund.

6,100 student athletes representing 185 high school teams participated in the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League. Since 2001, the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League has no reported injuries or gun-free zone school violations.

The USA High School Clay Target League is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and operates the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League as the independent provider of shooting sports as an extra curricular co-ed and adapted activity for high schools and students in grades six through twelve who have earned their firearms safety certification. The organization's priorities are safety, fun and marksmanship – in that order.

The Minnesota State High School League is a voluntary, nonprofit association of public and private schools with a history of service to Minnesota's high school youth since 1916. The Minnesota State High School League provides educational opportunities for students through interscholastic athletic and fine arts programs and provides leadership and support for member schools.

For more information about the state tournament, visit http://www.mnclaytarget.com/leagues/2014-spring-league/2014-mshsl-state-tournament/

Contact: John Nelson at 612-490-1388 or [email protected]

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SOURCE Minnesota State High School Clay Target League