FWCD Fifth Grader Earns National Championship Titles in Clay Target Shooting

Parker Ortowski ’32 has taken the competitive clay target shooting world by storm. In less than a year of training, he secured multiple titles at both the Scholastic Clay Target Program (SCTP) Texas State Championship and the SCTP National Championship, rising to the top of his Rookie Division and representing Fort Worth Country Day 4-H and the FWCD Clay Target Team with distinction.

Competing in the SCTP Texas State Championship at the National Shooting Complex in San Antonio, this summer, Ortowski excelled in six events. He brought home five State Champion titles, including first place in Skeet Doubles, Trap Doubles, Super Sporting, American Skeet, and Sporting Clays. He also took third place in Trap Singles, a tough event with fierce competition. His exceptional performance across these disciplines earned him the coveted High Over All (HOA) Award, recognizing his combined scores in the key events of Trap Singles, American Skeet, and Sporting Clays.

But Ortowski’s journey didn’t stop there. His stellar score of 98 out of 100 in American Skeet earned him a place on the Texas All-State Skeet Squad, making him the youngest member to ever be on this squad. Competing alongside seniors and juniors in high school, Ortowski represented Texas at the July SCTP National Championship in Marengo, Ohio. This competition, the largest youth shooting event in the world, saw 3,500 athletes from across the U.S. vie for top honors.

At Nationals, Ortwoski once again proved himself, winning first place in Skeet Doubles and Sporting Clays and finishing as the runner-up in American Skeet after a reverse run tie-break for the top spot. His outstanding performance earned him the National Championship Rookie HOA Award, cementing his place among the top young shooters in the nation.

What’s remarkable is that Ortowski began clay shooting in August 2023. In less than a year, his dedication, hours of practice, and passion for the sport have propelled him to national recognition.

For Ortowski, the thrill of competing isn’t about the awards. “I love being part of FWCD 4-H because I get to hang out with my friends from school and meet other kids from all over,” he said. “And the best part? I get to shoot better than my dad!”

From Texas to Ohio, Ortowski has shown what hard work and a love for competition can achieve, proving that he's a rising star in the world of clay target shooting.