MN High School Clay Target League

Minneapolis, MN – 11,936 student participants from 349 high school teams are participating in the Minnesota State High School Clay Target League's (MNSHSCTL) 2018 spring season, which began April 1st. Those are the highest participation numbers ever for the state, according to League officials.

“This League continues to be one of the largest high school sports in the state of Minnesota,” said Jim Sable, President of the MNSHSCTL, “Such high participation shows the continued demand for alternative high school activities related to Minnesota's longstanding outdoor traditions."

The League's co-ed and adaptive nature are key attractions to high schools in Minnesota. The League is fully Title IX compliant with both male and female athletes competing on the same team. Additionally, it's an 'adaptive' sport, which allows students with physical disabilities to take part.

Upon completion of the Spring League’s regular season, all student athletes are invited to participate in individual and team competitions at the 2018 MNSHSCTL Trap Shooting Championship. The event - the world's largest shooting sport event with about 8,000 competitors expected - is scheduled for June 11th-19th at the Alexandria Shooting Park, while the Skeet Championship will be held at the Minneapolis Gun Club in Prior Lake June 20th-21st.

The trap shooting season culminates with the State Tournament presented by the Minnesota State High School League on June 22nd in Prior Lake. The State Tournament provides the opportunity for the highest qualifying individuals and teams from the MNSHSCTL to compete for the ultimate recognition as Minnesota State High School League State Champions. The Minnesota State High School League was the first state high school interscholastic athletic association in the United States to provide support and recognition for a high school trap shooting state tournament.

The Minnesota State High School Clay Target League attracts student athletes that have earned their firearm safety certification to participate in shooting sports while creating a "virtual" competition among high school teams throughout Minnesota at no cost to the schools. Family travel costs are minimal because practice and competition are conducted at a shooting range near the school's location. The League is also the safest sport in high school, with no reported injuries since the inception of the League in 2001.

Conferences are determined by team size rather than geographic location for fair competition. Athletes earn True Team® scoring points as determined by their performance and ranking against all athlete scores within their team’s conference. The team score and overall standings are calculated and posted on the League's website. Athletes and their families may track their individual and team performance on their computer via the League's website, and by the Shooter Performance Tracker® mobile app.

The Minnesota State High School Clay Target League is an affiliate of the USA High School Clay Target League, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The League is an independent provider of shooting sports as an extracurricular co-ed and adaptive activity for high schools and students in grades 6 through 12. The organization’s priorities are safety, fun, and marksmanship – in that order. Nationwide, nearly 22,000 student athletes representing over 800 school-approved teams participate in the League.

For more information visit http://mnclaytarget.com |http://usaclaytarget.com

UMC Football to Host Youth Camps April 25 and May 2

CROOKSTON, Minn. - The University of Minnesota Crookston football program will host two youth camps Wed., April 25 and Wed., May 2. The camps will be $20 per participant and will commence with registration at 5:30 p.m. at the Minnesota Crookston Sports Center. The camp is available for student-athletes in grades 5-8.

The camp will run from 6-8 p.m. on the campus of University of Minnesota Crookston. The campers will learn general football skills and will develop their skills through position specific drills. They will receive instruction from the Minnesota Crookston football staff and players.

If you are interested in participating, contact assistant coach Sam Gooding at sgooding@umn.edu or you can register in person on the day of the camps from 5:30-6 p.m.

The football program will have a plethora of camp options this year. They will also host a high school camp on July 22. In addition, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) will host a 7-on-7 camp on the Minnesota Crookston campus June 20. The FCA camp is not sponsored by Minnesota Crookston.

Bison Football Youth Day and Spring Game Events

FARGO, N.D. – The North Dakota State University athletic department has announced the schedule of fan festivities surrounding April’s annual spring football game, which is moving to a Friday night.

The third annual Bison Tailgate Expo is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 20, on the east concourse of the Fargodome, and Bison Football Youth Day is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. before the 6:30 p.m. Green and Gold Spring Game.

Following the game, stay for the Fifth Quarter sponsored by D-S Beverage on the second floor of the Fargodome. Food will be provided by Buffalo Wild Wings and fans will hear from head football coach Chris Klieman.  Tickets for the Fifth Quarter go on sale at noon Monday, March 19.

Admission to the tailgate expo and spring game is free and open to the public.  Registration for the Bison Football Youth Day clinic opens in early April and will be limited to the first 250 boys and girls grades K-8.

Participants in the Bison Football Youth Day will receive instruction from NDSU players, go on a tour through the Bison locker room, and hear from head coach Chris Klieman.

Friday, April 20
4:00-8:00 p.m. – Bison Tailgate Expo (east concourse of Fargodome)
4:30-5:15 p.m. – Bison Football Youth Day registration (east lobby of Fargodome)
5:30-6:15 p.m. – Bison Football Youth Day
6:15 p.m. – National Championship Ring Ceremony
6:30 p.m. – Green and Gold Spring Game
7:30 p.m. – Fifth Quarter open (second floor of Fargodome)
8:15 p.m. – Fifth Quarter program with head coach Chris Klieman

UMC Volleyball Announces 2018 Spring Schedule

CROOKSTON, Minn. – The University of Minnesota Crookston volleyball program officially opens up their 2018 spring slate March 24. The Golden Eagles will play three individual games and an all-day tournament.

Minnesota Crookston heads to Minnesota State University Moorhead to open their spring schedule Sat., March 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Moorhead, Minn. The Golden Eagles will then host University of North Dakota at Lysaker Gymnasium Wed., April 4 at 5:30 p.m. Minnesota Crookston will return the trip to UND Wed., April 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Betty Engelstad Sioux Center. The Golden Eagles wrap up their 2018 spring schedule Sat., April 21 with an all-day tournament at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn.

The Golden Eagles are entering their second season under Head Coach Sarah Rauen in 2018. Also returning to the fray is assistant coach Anna Morgan, who is back for a second season. Minnesota Crookston returns nine players from the 2017 squad. The Golden Eagles welcome back two players who started over 20 games in Callie Schapekahm (Sr., MH, Eagan, Minn.) and Kaitlin Sikkink (R-Jr., RS, St. Charles, Minn.). In addition, Ali Schueler (R-Jr., Lib., Howards Grove, Wis.) and Deaira Gresham (So., OH, Maplewood, Minn.) also saw time in the starting line-up. Katie Lienemann (So., Lib.) and Sydney Kruisselbrink (So., S) both saw time in their inaugural campaigns at Minnesota Crookston and will see more time this spring. Lauren Wallace (R-Fr., RS, Bloomington, Minn.) and Alyssa Thomas (R-So., OH, Marion, Iowa) will both see their first game action during the spring season. Sabrina Leuer (R-Jr., OH, Hamel, Minn.) redshirted last season due to injury and will be a key piece on the outside for the Golden Eagles. Minnesota Crookston posted a 7-21 mark in 2017 and look to improve upon that mark heading into the 2018 season.