Aliana McMaster makes history as first woman to capture National Sporting Clays crown

Aliana McMaster etched her name into Jamaican shooting history last weekend, becoming the first woman ever to win the Highest Overall (HOA) title at the Jamaica Skeet Club's prestigious 200-Bird National Sporting Clays Championship.

Competing against a field of 154 shooters, McMaster delivered a composed and clinical performance over two demanding days at the Worthy Park Sugar Factory in Ewarton, St. Catherine, overcoming punishing weather conditions before sealing victory in the pressure-packed Super Six shoot-off.

Her historic achievement was matched by Christian Sasso, who produced a superb late charge to finish runner-up after an intense battle among the country's top marksmen.

Champion excels under grueling conditions

The championship tested competitors in every conceivable way.

Shooters battled scorching temperatures, gusting winds, and periods of rain while attempting to negotiate a demanding course that required competitors to shoot 100 sporting clay targets on both Saturday and Sunday.

Only the top six performers after the 200-bird main event advanced to the decisive Super Six, where each competitor faced an additional 25 targets to determine the national champion.

McMaster entered the finale in command after posting rounds of 87 and 90, giving her a main-event total of 177, three shots clear of Sasso, who recovered from an opening-round 81 with an outstanding 93 on Sunday to finish the preliminary competition on 174.

Super Six seals historic victory

With the title on the line, McMaster maintained her composure when the pressure reached its highest point.

She struck 18 of 25 targets during the Super Six to finish with an overall championship score of 195, comfortably securing the national crown.

Behind her, Sasso and Roman Tavares-Finson both closed on 191, forcing an additional eight-target shoot-off to determine the runner-up and A Class champion. Sasso ultimately prevailed to secure second place overall, while Tavares-Finson claimed top honors in A Class.

The remaining Super Six finalists finished in the following order: Todd Lazarus – 189, Chad Zaidie – 187, and David Wong – 185.

Multiple titles cap remarkable weekend

McMaster's breakthrough victory carried added significance beyond the overall championship.

In addition to becoming the first female HOA winner in the event's history, she also successfully defended her dominance among women by capturing the Ladies title for the fourth time, while also emerging as the Junior champion.

Reflecting on her historic accomplishment, McMaster praised both the championship organization and the demanding nature of the competition.

"I think the event was well organized, well set, the course was good quality targets. I think a lot of people can agree with me when I say that the 200-Bird in particular is one of the more challenging events in the NSC (National Shotgun Championship which consist of four separate events) lineup so just to come out here and do my best and keep my head on the gun and breaking the clays, it was honestly just a blessing to just enjoy the whole experience as well."

Sasso credits experience for runner-up finish

Although he narrowly missed the championship, Sasso expressed satisfaction with his performance after competing against an exceptionally strong field in the final shoot-off.

"It feels good. I shot in the Super Six with five other amazing shooters who really came out this year and performed at their best so it feels good to be with them."

The experienced shooter said composure under pressure proved to be one of his biggest strengths during the deciding stage.

"I don't really have that pressure issue but I have experience. I can see where others will kind of fall under pressure. Everybody did pretty well though and handled themselves well. It's just experience that will take us through."

Class champions recognized

Several competitors emerged victorious across the championship's various divisions.

Roman Tavares-Finson captured the A Class title after his shoot-off victory, while Rajhir DaCosta claimed B Class honors with 157.

Wendy McMaster won C Class with 147, Brandon Hugh topped D Class on 144, and Neesa DaCosta secured the E Class title with 136.

Other winners included Rheis McMaster, who captured the Sub-Junior division with 136, and Andrewain Smith, whose score of 116 earned him the Hunters/Beginners title.

Strong performances earn promotions

The championship also served as a pathway for several competitors to advance through the Jamaica Skeet Club's classification system.

Following standout performances, Rajhir DaCosta earned promotion to A Class, Wendy McMaster advanced to B Class, Brandon Hugh moved into C Class, and Neesa DaCosta progressed to D Class.

Meanwhile, Andrewain Smith, Zander James, and Alyssa Moo Young were all elevated to E Class.

For McMaster, however, the weekend belonged to history. By conquering one of the National Shotgun Championship's most demanding events against the country's strongest field, she not only lifted Jamaica's premier Sporting Clays title but also shattered a longstanding barrier, becoming the first woman to stand alone as the nation's overall Sporting Clays champion.