Transylvania University’s clay target team is wrapping up its inaugural year after launching in fall 2024. The team has rapidly become a popular addition to the university’s club sports, providing students with an opportunity to participate in one of the region’s fastest-growing sports.
The team engages in the four major clay target disciplines: trap, skeet, sporting clays and 5-stand. Weekly practices are held at the nearby Blue Grass Sportsmen’s League in Wilmore, Kentucky, where firearms and ammunition are securely stored. The team participates in competitions through the Scholastic Clay Target Program and the ACUI-Clay Target Program, including the UK Sporting Clays Invitational. In April, Transy also hosted a friendly competition with the team from Eastern Kentucky University at their club home in Wilmore.
Team member Beau Norton ’26 shared his experience, saying, “I’ve found that since picking up clay target, I feel more confident in my abilities regarding hand-eye coordination and precision, as well as an increased interest in branching out and trying new things that may be outside of my comfort zone.”
Michael Covert, Transylvania’s dean of students and clay target coach, highlighted the program’s unique position. “There’s growing excitement around clay target teams at Kentucky high schools. We’re proud to be one of the only private colleges in the state offering it as a club sport, and we are grateful this first season was made possible in part due to the generosity of gifts from donors.”
The team welcomes shooters of all experience levels, offering the option to bring personal 12-gauge shotguns (stored at the range) or use team-provided, competition-ready over/under models.
Team member Andrea Szekeres ’28 emphasized the supportive team environment: “We are like a family team that is very supportive of each other, and we get along well. Even though we all have different skill levels when it comes to shooting, we still encourage each other to do our best and to achieve our personal goals.”
Keep up with the team via their Instagram account – @transy_claytarget – and get more information on the team’s website.