MASON, Mich. — Brody Lenington of Cedar Vale-Dexter High School (KS) won the crown in the final round on Sunday, July 14. The athlete edged out a field of over 1,800 registered other high school students vying for the title of National Champion. 

Lenington shot a 97 in the qualifying round the previous day, putting him at 197th place going into the final. But through perseverance and determination the young man shot a perfect 100-straight, and then survived a shoot-off with 14 other athletes that also shot perfect scores in the day’s competition. In the end, after 55 more targets without a miss, Lenington came out on top to claim his spot at the peak of the podium.

Madelyn Coats of Franklin-Waverly High School (IL) claimed the title of the top female clay target shooter in the nation. Madelyn was consistent, shooting a 99 the in the Saturday Qualifying Round to going into the final ranked 36th, and her 99 on Sunday placed her 16th in the nation and the No. 1 female high school clay target athlete in America.

Oregon’s Yamhill-Carlton High School won the team title in the event, coming out ahead of 259 other high school clay target teams with a score of 487 out of 500.

Athletes and teams representing 456 high schools from across the nation participated at the 2024 USA High School Clay Target League National Championship last weekend, including New Glarus, Argyle and Pecatonica. The event was held at the Michigan Trapshooting Association in Mason, Mich. and featured 3,000 athletes participating in team and individual qualifying events, culminating in a final Championship Round that awarded the top ten male and female athletes and top five teams in the country.

In total, 37,158 student athletes representing 1,795 high school teams across the country participated in USA Clay Target League programs this spring. Only the top athletes and teams qualified to register for the National Championship, based on season averages at the completion of the spring season.