Parker started his skating career at the tender age of three years, after going to a public skate and thoroughly enjoying it. “I was a kid who was always bouncing off walls,” Parker remembers. “Skating had a way of calming me.” By the time Parker was six, he was seriously learning to skate. “I fell in love with the sport and have been doing it ever since.”
Parker has always been a singles skater and was coached at one time by Carol Heiss Jenkins. In May 2007, Parker left Colorado Springs and moved to Fairfax, Virginia to begin coaching with Audrey Weisiger, along with coaches Chris Conte, Ross Lansel, and Nick Perna. He is currently working with choreographers Nikolai Morosov and Pasquale Camarlengo, as well as performing some of his own choreography.
Parker's competitive highlights include winning the National title at the Junior, Novice, Intermediate, and Juvenile levels…he is the only mens' skater to have done so. “My career highlight had to be winning the National Junior title,” Parker says, “but landing my first triple axel at Eastern Sectionals in 2003 was a huge achievement as well.” Most recently, Parker placed fourth for his short program at the 2007 Nationals in Spokane, WA.
His favorite childhood memory is winning the National Intermediate title in 1996. “I was 6th after the short program and fought back to win the gold,” remembers Parker. “I never stopped believing and that helped me skate the best I had ever skated to that point.”
Winning the Midwestern Sectional title crowned his 2005 - 2006 season. “It was my first big win in several years, and it may have been toughest victory ever,” muses Parker. “I learned a lot about myself this season, and my perseverance and fight were stronger than ever.”
Parker's goals for the upcoming 2007 - 2008 season include maintaining his consistency, mastering the quad, and continuing to grow in his skating and artistry. Making the U.S. Olympic team has always been his dream. “I believe if I continue to develop and grow with my skating as I did this past season, my dream can come true,” he states.
Post-skating goals include coaching and possibly becoming a sports psychologist.
Outside of skating, Parker was a member of the National Honor Society throughout high school and received a Special Olympics Volunteer award.