PORTMORE, Jamaica — In a moment that will be etched into Jamaica’s sporting history, young shooting sensation Aliana McMaster shattered barriers at the Jamaica Skeet Club’s Portmore headquarters recently, becoming the first female ever to claim the Highest Overall (HOA) title at the prestigious Bernard Cridland Memorial Sporting Clays.
Competing against some of the nation’s finest marksmen under less-than-ideal weather conditions, the prodigious junior displayed nerves of steel and remarkable precision, scoring 94 out of a possible 100 targets—a performance that stunned onlookers and cemented her place in club history.
Mastery in adversity
The day was far from easy. Early morning showers and persistent drizzle turned the event into a true test of focus and endurance. Jamaica Skeet Club President Justin Samuda described the conditions as “very damp,” with visibility and target tracking severely affected. Yet McMaster thrived where others faltered.
“Conditions like that usually make it much harder to see and break targets,” Samuda noted. “Missing only six under those circumstances is truly special. It takes tremendous hand-eye coordination and four hours of unwavering concentration.”
Despite the challenges, McMaster not only captured the HOA title but also swept the Ladies and Juniors categories—an extraordinary triple triumph that underscored her technical skill and mental resilience.
“An overwhelming mixture of emotions”
An elated McMaster struggled to put her feelings into words after the historic victory.
“The feeling is honestly just an overwhelming amount of happiness, joy, relief, and excitement—all at once,” she said. “I’ve come so close so many times, always producing a good score but never quite getting there. After knocking on the door for so long, to finally have it come together—it was just amazing. I was in disbelief. It’s something I’ll never forget.”
Rising stars and club recognition
Runner-up honors went to Mark Desnoes, another standout junior who recently advanced to the senior ranks. Desnoes finished just four points behind McMaster with a score of 90, earning high praise from Samuda.
“It’s not every day you get to witness history in the making,” the president said. “As one of Aliana’s biggest fans, it was a real pleasure to see it unfold. Her HOA win will hold a special place in the annals of the Jamaica Skeet Club and in my presidency. Congratulations also to Mark, who continues to be one of our finest young shooters.”
The Bernard Cridland Memorial opened the 2025-2026 shooting calendar and featured strong performances across all divisions.
Class highlights
- A Class: Chad Ziadie (89), Alex Cunningham (88), Gerry Chin (88, via long run)
- B Class: Dominic Simpson (76), Najeeb Haber (74), Winston Quest (73)
- C Class: Lori Ann Harris (89), Kirk Miller (83), Paul Burke (82)
- D Class: Neil Grant (84), Rheis McMaster (82), Chris Fung Chung (81)
- E Class: Anthony Ayoub (81), Denzil Dixon (77), Rueben Carillo (74)
- Hunters: Scott Roman (79), Danica Williams (75), Kimani Holness (73)
- Ladies: Aliana McMaster (94), Lori Ann Harris (89), Wendy McMaster (81)
- Juniors: Aliana McMaster (94), Lori Ann Harris (89), Tyler Grant (76)
- Sub-Juniors: Rheis McMaster (82), Danica Williams (75), Aaron Dawes (65)
Following the competition, several top performers—including Lori Ann Harris—earned promotions to higher classes for future events.
A historic finish
As McMaster accepted her trophy, she received a guard of honor, symbolizing both her personal milestone and a broader step forward for women in Jamaican sport shooting.
Her victory, achieved through grit, precision, and unshakable composure, marked not only a new chapter for the Jamaica Skeet Club but also an inspiring moment for young athletes across the island.
