Black Looks Back on Korean World Cup
4/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Rifle
Her world travels are by no means virtue of an accident, either.
"She probably spends more time on this practice line than any team member I've ever had," TCU head coach Karen Monez said. "It's an inspiration to the team members and they tune in on that she is out every day improving her skill level."
Monez has the credentials to back up her statements. She has coached the Horned Frogs to a pair of national titles in her tenure at TCU, as well as 21 All-Americans for both disciplines and a 2012 Olympian in Sarah Scherer.
"Hannah's improved her air rifle average eight points over three years and smallbore 12 points," she said. "That's what you're looking for. Progression. We are trying to shoot that perfect score, but we want to see that progression."
Black concluded her junior year with 591 and 580-point averages in air rifle and smallbore, respectively, both tying for the team lead. That culminated in All-American honors for both disciplines.
The international circuit presented a much different opposition for Black in many aspects not seen during the collegiate season. She was also the only current American collegian to take part in the World Cup.
"The Chinese right now are the best in the world and then there are the Russians," Monez said. "Just seeing yourself in that environment competing side-by-side with them means there is so much to be gained. Hannah is one who thrives off that."
The range itself was a brand new challenge as well, not like the indoor 50-meter ranges in NCAA action.
"The South Korea range is just an open field with 80 points," she said. "It was difficult because [the wind] was really switchy. It might stop and change speeds too."
Black will have a bit of a reprieve when she competes in the USA's World Cup in Fort Benning, Ga. (May 11-19), because that range has wind screens that neutralize play much more. She also earned her spot on the Korea trip by performing well there the week before it.
Black's isolation from the U.S. naturally led to some communication barriers, but she says she was still able to keep in touch when WiFi was available. While Monez was not able to give her much advice on the trip, Black was able to receive some strong tutelage from U.S. head coach Thomas Tamas, a 2000 Sydney Olympian.
As for the leisurely part of the trip, Black will have some memories that will remain with her forever, even if they were not captured on the selfie stick she proudly utilized most of the time. She says the Cherry Blossom Festival and House of Changwon were her favorite moments.
"We walked into this little noble house museum thing, and there's music playing and a guy sitting on the floor playing a wooden flute with no one else around," she said. "He tells us to come in and he makes us tea. He keeps playing his flute and it felt like a horror movie where the guy just appears.
Rifle is certainly keeping Black busy, and while she may be a world traveler, she is still a student-athlete. She will be finishing her final exams by Monday, May 4, four days before the regular semester ends, so she can be prepared for her second Georgia trip in as many months.
Test cramming aside, Black can take solace in Monez's words about her potential future.
"The better you do in these compeititions, both here and in the US, the better opportunities that are there for you," she said. "This could be a long career for her."
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