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NEW ULM - Matt Schnobrich started rowing at St. John's University because he wanted to have fun and compete with a group of friends. Not that many years later, he is one of the best in the world and will be competing in the Olympic games in Beijing.

Schnobrich, who lives in Princeton, New Jersey, has family roots in New Ulm, where his father grew up. His grandparents still live in New Ulm along with an aunt, uncle and cousins. Though he has never lived in New Ulm, he still comes to town during Christmas and Thanksgiving to celebrate with his family.

"Nothing beats sledding at Hermann Park or walking the grounds of America's second-oldest family-owned brewery," Schnobrich said in an e-mail.

Schnobrich was introduced to rowing at SJU, and even though he wasn't very good at first, he enjoyed the sport. He had fun paddling around the lake with his friends and says that made him appreciate the sport much more than a more intense collegiate team would have.

He went to graduate school at the University of Minnesota, where he continued his rowing career. He received a lot more coaching at the Minneapolis Rowing club, where he improved his skills and increased his speed.

Schnobrich got to the Olympics through intense training and hard work. He has trained non-stop over the past four years. This year, he went to South Carolina for five months during the winter to train in better conditions. He has also traveled to Japan, England and Germany for a World Championship that is held every summer. During the selection process, he has had to step up his game even more.

"The US has a lot of talented guys competing for spots on the team, and the selection process was really intense over the last couple months," Schnobrich said. "It's an environment where everyone pushes each other harder and harder and it's essential to maintain your physical and mental well being."

He qualified for pairs with his partner Josh Inman, but they decided to continue selection in hopes of making the men's eight-man team. They were named to the eight-man rowing team and opted out of doing pairs.

"This was a big dream, and one that has developed over the course of the last few years," Schnobrich said. "It still hasn't really sunk in yet, as [we] still have our noses to the grind of trying to get everything we can out of our last month of training before departure."

He says that qualifying for the Olympics was only his first step. The goal for team is to reach the podium, maybe even the top of the podium. They are focused on getting the most out of their boat and hope that is enough to beat some very tough competition.

Rowing is during the first week of the Olympic games, so the team will be able to keep their focus on their event before seeing the sights. Schnobrich, who is unsure how long he will continue to row, knows that he needs to continue to work hard and keep his focus.

"I am really focused on getting through this Olympic games and then deciding what to do after that," Schnobrich said. "I am getting married this fall, and going to just try to take things one step at a time."