Clarksville, Ark.-The University of the Ozarks athletic department has announced it will expand its current men's and women's clay target shooting team, it was released Tuesday by athletics director Jimmy Clark.

Ozarks established a clay target shooting team in 2010 and already has a number of athletes participating. Each program will compete as an Olympic sport. The university announced the addition of men's wrestling and cheer/STUNT earlier this month, bringing the total number of competitive sports to 17.
     
"The addition of clay target shooting as Olympic sports will provide even greater opportunities for students to compete at the college level," said U of O President Richard Dunsworth. "Our natural outdoor setting creates a variety of recreational interests, and we want to continue broadening that with appealing programs. We are pleased to expand our shooting sports while still emphasizing a liberal arts education in a student-centered environment".

The clay target shooting teams will compete against other collegiate programs around the region.

"These are sports that students have a desire to compete in at the collegiate level," said Clark. "It appeals to students across the region. At the local level, the shooting sports teams at Clarksville and Lamar have a great number of participants."

Ozarks offers baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's tennis and men's wrestling at the NCAA Division III varsity level. Additionally, Ozarks offers competitive cheer/STUNT and men's and women's clay target shooting.
     
The search for a head coach is underway.