Nashua, IA

A Charles City teen brings home two state titles in trapshooting.

Thomas Parchem won the Iowa Handicap shoot and the 22 and 1/2 yard title this past weekend at the Iowa State Trap Shoot in Cedar Falls. The prize money allows Parchem to shoot another day.

"I go to the shoots and if I don't win, I can't go to the next one," Parchem said.

Parchem works in the meat department at the Fareway in Charles City. He says it pays ok, but with the price of shells, gas and other things going up, it really cuts into his shooting budget.

"It makes me real focused when I do go to a meet," Parchem said. "I definitely make sure I get a good night of sleep before every shoot."

Parchem says it's the biggest win of his career. The 19-year-old popped off 98 of 100 targets in the regulation round. He then knocked out 24 of 25 targets in a shootout to claim the title.

"There were people lined up behind me to watch me shoot," Parchem recalls. "People that I really looked up to. Right when I won, I just wanted to scream."

Parchem credits a Floyd shooter nearly four-times his age for his success.

"His name is Robert Picken, and he helps me out a lot. I don't understand all the rules, but Bob has been a good guy."

Parchem qualified for the national shoot in Illinois, but says he does not know if he can afford to go.