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Widely considered “fast, focused, and fearless” in the world of competitive snowboarding, Brianna “Bri” Schnorrbusch is heading from Monroe to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Brianna, who just turned 20, said she was dreaming of this opportunity to be on the U.S. Olympic Snowboard Team since she was six years old.
“To be an Olympian it makes me feel proud of myself,” she said. “I feel fulfilled that all my hard work on snow training, countless hours in the gym and the long travel days all paid off. It also makes me feel grateful towards my family, friends, teammates, coaches and all the communities that have supported me throughout my whole career so far.”
Women's snowboarding events at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from Feb. 5-18 in Livigno, Italy.
Brianna competed out of the Gould Academy Competition Program, based in Bethel, Maine. She was on the US Snowboard SBX Development Team in May 2022. In May 2023, she was named to the Hydro Flask US Snowboard SBX Pro team.
She is already a two-time World Championships team member, earning selections in both 2023 and 2025. On the international stage, she made her mark with a silver medal at the 2022 Junior World Championships in Veysonnaz, Switzerland.
The Olympian said local support in Monroe has played a huge role in making all of this possible.
“Monroe Township and its school system supported me from the very beginning,” she said, noting her excused absences from class allowed her to travel to Vermont for competitions and to Copper Mountain, Co. for national snowboard competitions. “That flexibility made it possible for me to pursue my sport while continuing my education.”
Brianna gives a shout-out to her elementary school teachers – including Ms. McCloud, Ms. Rutherford and Ms. North – who helped her learn to balance life as a student-athlete.
“When my snowboard career really took off, they taught me time management, multitasking, and how to enjoy the journey which are skills that have stayed with me through high school and continue to guide me today,” she said. “The Monroe community has always made me feel supported and welcomed. It’s home, and no matter where I travel, I always look forward to coming back.”
Brianna joins an U.S. Olympic team in Milan-Cortina that comprises 115 women. The games are held across multiple locations, including Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, marking the most geographically spread-out Winter Olympics in history.
Rosie, Brianna’s mom, and her father, Mike, said the Olympic experience for the entire family represents years of commitment, dedication and sacrifice. That included countless days of early mornings, long days and traveling from competition to competition.
Sportsmanship, camaraderie and pride was Brianna’s foundation from her early years of competing, according to her parents, who added this all gave Brianna the discipline, motivation and dedication to become a professional athlete and pursue her lifelong dream of making the Olympic Team and performing on the big stage.”
Monroe Mayor Stephen Dalina said the entire community will be eagerly cheering on Brianna during the competition, with the highest hopes she brings home the Gold.
“Brianna has a terrific fan base in Monroe,” Mayor Dalina said. “We are so proud of her, as well as the entire U.S. Olympic Team, and wish her tremendous success on the slopes.”
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