3GN Spotlight: Mark Hanish

Mark Hanish has experienced one crazy year. A new job, a new house, amplified by an intense travel, family and shooting schedule—all of this, of course, pales in comparison to the stress induced due to his wife’s illness. With seemingly it all hitting at once, the Hanish’s have done well to simply keep their heads above water.

That Mark is still able to compete at an extremely high level could be looked on as remarkable. Hanish followed up Superstition with an impressive dual finish at MGM Ironman, capped by a third place in Heavy Metal Optics. Coming down the stretch, Hanish’s game is coming together for a potential run in the 3-Gun Nation Championship. If he can make the cut, Hanish, who has one of the fastest trigger fingers in the game, would be an extremely dangerous competitor when the big money, and the title of 2011 3GN Champion, are on the line.

FN's Mark Hanish is one of four competitors featured in the upcoming episode of "3-Gun Nation."

3GN:  A new job, Tasha’s illness, and still having to travel for work and to compete: the last year sounds like it’s been pretty much a pressure cooker for you. How stressful has it been?

MH: This past year has been very stressful for our whole family. The new position with FNH has been wonderful, but it was definitely a challenge to adapt to travelling so much for work. I can tell you the amount of travel I do for work is just about right, and the amount of travel we do for shooting is just about right, but added together it is way more than enough! We also moved last summer just before Tasha's health went south, and to add to the fun, our daughter had a similar surgery in November as well.  As a family we are REALLY looking forward to a healthy 2012!     

3GN: How nice will it be for you to see your wife out there healthy and competing again?

 MH: It will be awesome to see her on the range actually enjoying herself again. This past year has been a real struggle watching her fight through the pain every stage, and try to recover as best she could every night. I am very hopeful for the rest of the year as she displays an incredible amount of determination to push herself and get back to 100% as quickly as possible. 

3GN: You weren’t happy with your performance at Superstition. But at Ironman, you came in 3rd in Heavy Optics before an even more impressive 6th in a pretty competitive Tactical Optics field, completing your insane back-to-back Ironman. Where’s your game at now?

MH: My game is strong. I was shooting handgun and rifle at the top of my game at Ironman. I had a few missteps with my shotgun that cost significant time at Ironman, but I was fortunate that rifle and pistol were so strong I maintained a strong finish.  Life and Work have been so hectic I have not shot 3-gun since Ironman, so I am hoping I can pick it up right where I left off.

3GN: Can you make a run at a 3GN Shoot-Off appearance?

MH: I will be there, you can count on it!

3GN: Do you have any goals in respect to the different 3GN point races in effect this season? 

MH: To be honest I am not sure how the points are looking right now between all the different categories. My game plan is to shoot whatever I division I am registered in to the best of my ability, kick all the butt I can, and see where I end up when the smoke clears.  

3GN: As fast as you are on the trigger, Mark Hanish in a 3GN Shoot-Off could be a very scary proposition out there, or maybe you go too fast and leave steel standing? A fair assessment?

MH: I love shooting steel, and I love man-on-man shoot-[offs even more!  I can clean plate racks as fast (if not faster) than anyone in the game, and burn down targets with a shotgun. The 3GN Shoot-Off comes down to the rifle, and I am shooting a rifle better than I ever have. I want another shot at the money!   

3GN: At last year’s 3GN Championship, you finished 31st out of field of 50, in what is likely the toughest head-to-head field ever assembled to date in 3-gun. That’s not a bad finish, but how much would you like a shot this year at the final 16 and a run in the Championship Shoot-Off? 

MH: I had several struggles with last year’s 3GN Championship, and it was not representative of my abilities.  I am training hard physically every day to be in the best shape of my life to have a strong finish and bring home some CASH MONEY!!!

3GN: What is your job at FN?

MH: I am the Western Regional Sales Manager for FNH USA, LLC. Together with my counterparts in the Midwest and Eastern region, we are responsible for all the commercial sales of FNH product in the United States.  I support my distributor customers and assist some of the premier dealers in the country.  This usually involves quite a bit of travel to meet with my customers and train them in the use and sale of our products.

3GN: From your work at Scottsdale Gun Club, to taking on a job with FN, a couple of high-level sponsored shooters: Your entire life seems to be consumed by the shooting sports? Would you change a thing?

MH: NOPE!, Never, Not a Chance!  I am truly grateful to be involved in the shooting sports and shooting industry.  I enjoy my work in the industry and I enjoy all the different shooting sports we get to participate in, especially the 3-Gun Nation Tour!  It’s pretty neat to have a something that is a passion, for both Tasha and I, as a sport and a job.

The All-New “3-Gun Nation” airs Mondays at 9:30 AM; Fridays at 10:30 AM and Sundays at 7:30 AM. All times EST. Only on Versus.

Posted on 9/21/2011