National coach Khaleel Azan (second right) shares a photo opportunity with junior shooters Nickolai Clarke (left), Brandon Reid (second left), Richard Lechler (with live juvenile alligator) and Peter Mahfood at the Gator Cup championship in Florida last week.
By: Sherdon Cowan - Jamaica Observer
NATIONAL shotgun coach Khaleel Azan praised the efforts of the successful Jamaican contingent that represented adeptly at the 2015 Gator Cup Sporting Clay Tournament at Quail Creek Plantation in Florida last week.
The Jamaicans, led by junior shooter Brandon Reid, returned home on Monday after weathering the unfriendly conditions to be among the outstanding shooters from around the world that took part in the premier sporting clays event.
Azan explained that the preliminary events on Thursday and Friday were made difficult because they had to shoot in freezing temperatures.
"The first two days were very challenging because of the cold conditions, so we had to be layered up from head to toe. That affected the gun fit which made it very difficult, because we are not accustomed to shooting in those conditions," he told the Jamaica Observer.
But despite the wintry conditions, the Jamaicans made their presence felt on the first day with David Subaran finishing atop C class with a score of 78, while James Todd topped the E class with a 75. Azan shot 72 to finish third in the A class and Nickolai Clarke, with a score of 71, topped the Sub-juniors division, while also taking the runner-up spot in the E class.
Friday's second day saw Clarke winning two shoot-offs to top the E and Sub-junior classes with scores of 73 and 71, respectively. Another junior shooter Richard Lechler (56) topped the E class with Ray McMaster (53) finishing third in the E class Blue Course shoot, while Reid (74) and Adam Ziadie (72) finished first and third, respectively, in the C class Red Course.
Reid then confirmed his level of dexterity, as he held his composure in windy conditions to emerge as the top Jamaican shooter for the Gator Cup.
The 16-year-old shot an impressive score of 154 in Sunday's main event to place second in C Class and earned himself US$1,000. His outstanding performance would have also placed him among the top-three shooters in the AA (3rd), A (second) and B (first) classes.
Bruce DuQuesnay and Errol Ziadie were six points adrift as they both ended with 148, while Robert Reid, father of Brandon Reid, shot 146 to take home US$750 for third in B class. Fourteen-year-old Clarke, also earned US$1,000 as he shot a score of 126 to place second in E.
DuQuesnay emerged top gun in the AA class five-stand shoot with a score of 41, but had to settle for third in the FITASC category with score of 74, while David Subaran ended third and second in the C class category with respective scores of 34 and 70. Jeffrey Panton (59) was third in the C class FITASC shoot.
"The courses were really tough with lots of speed and distance targets, and the overall scores were lower than normal because of the conditions. But the guys did a great job and I am pleased with our overall results," said Azan.
"I thought Brandon was very impressive and I am also pleased that Nickolai won both shoot-offs, because we have been training them for events like these through our local schools' competitions, so the training has paid off," he added.
Azan, while extending his appreciation with the presence of James Todd and Adam Ziadie who are both based in colleges overseas, told the Jamaica Observer that he is optimistic about Jamaica fielding a bigger and stronger team to the World Sporting Clays Championship which will also be staged in Florida in April.
Meanwhile, local shooters are expected to be back on the grid on Sunday at the inaugural Toyota Jamaica Sporting Clays tournament at the Jamaica Skeet Club in Portmore.
