Neesa DaCosta breaks new ground as one of America’s elite collegiate female shooters

Jamaica’s Neesa DaCosta has reached another milestone in her remarkable shooting career, earning recognition as the fourth-ranked female collegiate shooter in the United States at the conclusion of the academic year.

Representing Jacksonville University (JU) in Florida as a scholarship student-athlete, DaCosta established herself among the nation’s best in collegiate clay shooting, finishing less than one point behind the third-place competitor.

Her achievement represents one of the highest placements ever recorded by a Jamaican female shooter at the collegiate level in the United States.

But DaCosta’s success extends far beyond the shooting range. Her journey has been defined by a rare combination of athletic excellence, academic achievement, leadership, and service.

Excellence in the classroom and on the range

DaCosta arrived at Jacksonville University in 2020 determined to succeed both as a student and an athlete.

While competing in skeet, trap, and sporting clays, she pursued a double major in Business Management and Marketing and consistently remained among the top-performing students in her class.

Balancing the intense demands of collegiate athletics with academic responsibilities, she quickly became a respected figure within the JU shooting program.

During her sophomore year, DaCosta was elected Board Secretary of the JU Shooting Team, marking the beginning of a leadership journey that would continue throughout her collegiate career.

As her reputation grew, she travelled across the United States representing Jacksonville University at regional and national championships.

Her academic accomplishments were also recognized when she was named among the top 25 students in the Davis College of Business & Technology at JU, an honor reserved for students demonstrating outstanding academic performance, leadership, and service.

From team leader to coach and mentor

After completing her undergraduate studies, DaCosta continued her education by pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA), while taking on even greater responsibilities within the shooting program.

She was appointed Chief of Staff/Chief Graduate Assistant of the JU Shooting Team, where she played an important role in team operations, athlete development, and the continued growth of the program.

Her influence expanded further after earning her National Sporting Clays Association (NSCA) Level 1 Instructor Certification.

She was subsequently named an Assistant Coach for the JU Shooting Team, allowing her to support teammates while also mentoring junior athletes from Jacksonville high schools.

Through coaching, she helped introduce young shooters to the sport while emphasizing technique, discipline, confidence, and firearm safety.

DaCosta also dedicated time to the Jacksonville Clay Target Sports range, assisting female shooters from the club and surrounding community through the Shooting Stars initiative.

Her commitment to leadership and service earned her the prestigious Head Coach’s Award every year from 2020 through 2026, recognizing her volunteerism, dedication, positive attitude, and contribution to the success of the program.

A partnership that elevated her performance

A major breakthrough came in 2025 when Cole Fine Guns & Gunsmithing, one of the leading Beretta dealers and supporters of competitive shooting in the United States, began sponsoring DaCosta.

The partnership allowed her to customize her Beretta 694 ACS shotgun with a 30-inch barrel, an adjustment that immediately enhanced her consistency and performance across multiple disciplines.

That improvement was reflected in her results.

At the 2025 Spring SE Collegiate Regional Championships, DaCosta captured the Women’s High Overall Runner-Up title after producing several outstanding performances.

Her results included wining the Women’s Skeet Championship, second in the Women’s Sporting Clays High Overall, and fourth in the Women’s Doubles Trap.

She continued that momentum at the 2025 ACUI Fall Lower East Coast Championships, where she secured third place in the Women’s High Overall, the Women’s Sporting Clays and the Women’s American Trap.

Triple-crown achievement confirms her elite status

One of the defining moments of DaCosta’s collegiate career came at the 2025 Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Florida State Championships.

There, she delivered a dominant performance to become the Florida Collegiate Lady Champion in three disciplines – skeet, trap and sporting clays.

The rare triple-crown accomplishment placed her among an exclusive group of athletes able to conquer multiple shooting disciplines at the highest level.

The achievement brought pride to Jacksonville University, the Jamaica Skeet Club, and Jamaica as a whole.

All-American recognition and a message for Jamaica’s young shooters

After graduating from Jacksonville University in May with her MBA, DaCosta was named a Distinguished Graduate Business Scholar, adding another academic honor to her growing list of achievements.

Soon after, she reached another major milestone when the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA), SCTP selected her for the prestigious All-American Team.

Reflecting on the recognition, DaCosta expressed pride in representing Jamaica while continuing to chase greater goals.

“This recognition of being on the NSSA SCTP All America Team is a sign that I am moving in the right direction and it’s just encouragement that there is still bigger goals ahead for me.”

She emphasized the importance of representing her country on the international stage.

“As a Jamaican athlete I am really proud to represent my country at this level and show that we can compete among the best shooters in the United States.”

DaCosta also hopes her journey inspires the next generation.

“I really do hope that my journey inspires other young Jamaicans, especially the juniors in clay shooting, to pursue the opportunities in the sport and keep striving for excellence.”

A foundation built in Jamaica

DaCosta’s story began at Hillel Academy, where she developed a reputation for academic excellence while discovering her passion for shotgun shooting.

Her early development came through the Jamaica Skeet Club under the guidance of Khaleel Azan, whose encouragement and technical instruction helped establish the foundation for her competitive success.

She also credits David Dobson, M.B.A., Founder, Executive Director, and Head Coach of the JU Shooting Team, whose leadership helped develop Jacksonville University into one of the respected collegiate shotgun programs in the country.

Champion, scholar, leader

Today, Neesa DaCosta stands as more than a decorated athlete.

She represents the possibilities created through discipline, dedication, and opportunity, a champion shooter, accomplished scholar, coach, and mentor whose achievements continue to raise the profile of Jamaican shooting.

Her journey from the Jamaica Skeet Club to the highest levels of American collegiate competition serves as an example for young athletes seeking to pursue excellence on both the sporting and academic fronts.