x
Breaking News
More () »

Redmond native, rowing champ goes for Olympic seat

Rob Munn won several national championships while on the University of Washington's rowing team. The chance to race for the United States is different.

<p>Rob Munn (Credit: KING)</p>

In a suitcase filled with childhood memories, Sally Munn knows it's a memory her son doesn’t have that tells just as much about him as the memories he does.

“He never wore it. We still have it. Tassel and all,” she said while holding his high school graduation robe.

Her son, Rob, skipped the ceremony to attend rowing camp. He was a football player until the day he showed up on the banks of the Sammamish River.

“They took one look at Rob and wouldn’t let him out of here,” his dad, Bob, said. “He’s never met a challenge he turned down. "

"All he wanted to know was how they keep score. How do you keep score and how do you win? That’s Rob," Sally added.

Soon their son will face a challenge his parents never predicted, qualifying for the Olympics and a prestigious spot on the U.S. Rowing Team Men’s Eight.

Rob won several national championships while on the University of Washington's rowing team. The chance to race for the United States is different.

“I’m sitting here like, 'Oh my gosh.' It can be overwhelming at times. When I think about that. I go back to training,” he said.

Training without stopping is an energy the Redmond native’s parents say hasn’t changed since Rob was a little boy.

“Are we ready to go? What are we doing next?" Sally laughed. "Where are we going? What are we doing next?”

All you have to do is look at the stack of jerseys Rob still has from college racing.

"You literally take the shirt off your back and give it to the winner. He never lost. So, these are his UW rowing jerseys," Sally said.

Rob was UW’s 2012 Male Athlete of the Year. He’s an eagle scout, and his parents are hopeful he will soon be an Olympian.

“I’ll cry! We all know I’ll cry," Sally said. “There’s 12-14 guys who get to represent the United States in his sport, and he could be one of them. It’s pretty exciting.”

Before You Leave, Check This Out