Last year,  the Benilde-St. Margaret’s clay target team team received a $15,000 endowment from the Midway U.S.A. Foundation.  Each year, the team along with Mr. John Porisch, clay target coach and science teacher, can take out five percent of the money to use for team funding. Recently, the team was given a $3,000 donation from the Minnesota Safari Club, as well as some funds from them last year.

The money from both of these organizations can provide the team with clothing and supplies. “More importantly [these donations] can be used for students who can not afford to pay for the sport; giving all students the opportunity to participate is a goal of ours,” Porisch said.

Currently there are 10,000 athletes in Minnesota that are on clay target shooting teams at their schools. In order to be involved in the competitive and quickly growing sport, each student is charged $250 to $300 for the season in order to compete. “The fee covers registration, clay targets, clothing, and ammunition,” Porisch said.

The clay target team still has close relations with both of the organizations that have donated to the team. On February 26-27, a small group of athletes will be assisting where needed at Minnesota Safari Club’s  Annual World Hunting Expo. “The students will represent BSM and answer questions about the team while assisting the MN SCI planned events,” Porisch said.

The clay target team is organized differently than a traditional sports team because it has a more flexible schedule, which is accommodating to students who are involved in other activities or work during the school year. Instead of practices every day after school, the team instead meets once a week at the Minnetonka Sportsmen Club. “I expect around 70 to 80 shooters this spring, who check in between 4:30-7 and participate in a one hour shooting time one Wednesday a week,” Porisch said.

In order for students to be a part of the team they have to complete athlete registration before spring sports’ deadlines.  In addition, to make sure all students are safe, the athlete has to complete a firearm safety certificate by completing a six-session class at a location such as the Horse and Hound Club  or by completing an online class. If students are interested in joining the clay target team, Porisch encourages them to attend the spring sports meeting in February to learn more about this unique sport or to contact him directly.

Senior shooter Nathan Carpenter has been on the team since his sophomore year when it was first created and he has always enjoyed being a part of it. Carpenter has watched the team grow from when it first started and had around 30 members but now, three years later, the team has around 60 members. Carpenter recommends any interested student to join the team because it is enjoyable and a great way to meet new people. “I would encourage anyone to join. … You don’t need to have experience shooting trap to join it,” Carpenter said.