The boat to beat in Beijing: Meet local rower Matt Schnobrich

The U.S. Men's Eight is definitely the team to beat in Beijing.

One of eight is a man from St. Paul. Matt Schnobrich's rowing career started in Collegeville, Minnesota.

"All the guys that are in the boat now.. I like them a lot as friends and competitors," said Matt Schnobrich an Olympian Rower. "There's a lot of talent and there's a lot of power and guys with big hearts.

For Matt Schnobrich it all started in Minnesota at St. John's University.

"My resident assistant that was across the hall had told me, hey.. you're a tall kid," recalls Schnobrich, "and tall people are usually good rowers so why don't you show up down at the boathouse and we'll go from there. It was really that simple."

From Collegeville it was on to row for the Minneapolis Rowing Club. Then he really committed and went to the east coast where he settled in Princeton, New Jersey.

A couple months ago, Matt made the Olympic team.

"It was just a big surprise," recalls Matt's Dad Dana Schnobrich.

Matt's parents Dana and Ellen in St. Paul were always supportive. They just never expected it to get this level.

"You know I'd see Olympics which I think is such a special distinction," said Dana. "I think at its best I think it's the best and purest in sports and I think to be a part of that is.. I don't know."

"What you're really proud of is his accomplishment just in getting what he has worked so hard for," said Matt's mom, Ellen.

"You do kind of enjoy it for a couple days," said Matt, "but then you really need to kind of tune a lot of that stuff out and try to put your eyes on where we're going in the end and reaching the podium."

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