Introducing California's First All-Female Clay Target High School Team

Led by Ms. Lola Fitzgerald, a sophomore student at St. Lucy’s and a three-time Junior World Champion in Skeet Shooting, this new program is expected to churn out more clay shooters who can make the school proud just like Mrs. Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald continued her early career in Clay Target shooting because she wanted to share her enthusiasm for the sport with her peers at St. Lucy's and gain useful experience after being on a high school team. Fitzgerald answered to the task of starting a new athletic team, and she has now formed St. Lucy's Scholastic Clay Target Program with the help of the Administration and her father, Jay Fitzgerald (SCTP).

St. Lucy's strives for all of their students to be self-advocating, passionate young women and leaders, and she exemplifies that. Fitzgerald sponsored a table at St. Lucy's school-wide Club Day to gauge interest as soon as she received approval, and the excitement and enthusiasm were palpable. Athletes are preparing for practices and tournaments, and training sessions have already begun.

As evident, Clay Target Shooting is a growing and completely safe popular sport that is as challenging as exciting. According to gathered data, the sport of shooting clays has the lowest injury rate in high school sports. Since all High School Clay Target Programs are ADA compliant and all-inclusive, this sport now stands as one of the most inclusive high school sports ever offered.

Since St. Lucy’s Clay Target Team is a new sport, participating athletes face considerable start-up costs. Fitzgerald's greatest wish is that this team continues available to all and that no one is turned away because of the sport's expensive expense. Jay Fitzgerald is assisting his daughter in these efforts by raising funds for a MidwayUSA Foundation Team Endowment, which will ensure that the program is self-sustaining and available in the future.

People who wish to support this endeavor and make a tax-deductible contribution, please email St. Lucy’s Director of Advancement Services, Bernie Gore, bgore@stlucys.com or Clay Target Team Manager, Jay Fitzgerald, by calling 909-559-3705 or emailing at: jay@thedjaycompany.com.

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