Aliana McMaster Claims Jamaica Skeet Club National Title Over Christian Sasso

Aliana McMaster believes her latest national title proves women can top the field even in sports long seen as male territory.

She defeated Christian Sasso to become Jamaica Skeet Club National Champion at Worthy Park Sugar Factory in Ewarton, St Catherine, and is the first woman to finish as the highest overall winner of the 200-bird championship.

Across the two-day contest, McMaster hit 177 of 200 birds, three ahead of Sasso, who finished on 174. Her rounds of 87 and 90 underlined her steadiness, while Sasso climbed from 81 on the opening day to 93 on the second.

In the Super Six shoot-off, McMaster added 18 birds for a final tally of 195. Sasso finished on 191, matching Roman Tavares-Finson. Todd Lazarus scored 189, Chad Zadei 187, and David Wong 185.

McMaster also collected the ladies title for a fourth time and claimed the junior crown. She framed the victory as a message for women competing in male-dominated arenas.

She told CVM Sports, "This is proof that gender doesn't matter. The ponytail doesn't matter. So, no matter what anybody says, no matter your age, no matter your gender, no matter the race, it doesn't matter. Just go out, do your best, focus on yourself. Yourself is what's most important and just have fun. 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 event in the NC lineup. So, just to come out here and do my best and keep my head on the gun and break the clays, it was honestly just a blessing to just enjoy the whole experience as well. Like it's honestly something that I haven't really processed yet as I'm talking to you now. But I just know like I can go home and sleep good tonight."

Sasso said, "It feels good. I shot in the Super Six with you know five other amazing shooters who really came out this year and performed at their best. So, it feels good to be with them. You know for me, honestly, I don't really have that pressure issue but I mean 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, you know, will take us through."