Mike Matson is a native Houstonian. He attended Elkins High School where he participated in Speech & Debate, Swimming Boy Scouts, and JROTC. Shortly after 9/11, Mike attended the US Naval Academy on a congressional nomination from Mr. Tom Delay. There, Mike learned to row on the Men’s Heavyweight Crew, and he also first learned critical seamanship and navigation skills.

After graduation, Mike returned to Houston where he married Samantha (they met in 7th grade!) and earned his PhD in Chemistry from Rice. Mike volunteered as a firefighter for six years in the City of Stafford, where he served on the same shift as Anne Sullivan, who tragically lost her life in the infamous Southwest Inn fire of 2013. The team’s boat is named in honor of Anne. Mike currently is a Drilling Engineer and lives in The Heights with Sami and their two great kids, Morgan & Cooper.

Brian Krauskopf is a native Houstonian. He attended Santa Fe High School where he excelled at football, earning All-State honors and twice qualified for state championships as a powerlifter. Brian went on to play 2 years of football at Blinn College, becoming an All-Conference offensive lineman, before joining and captaining the University of South Alabama’s newly created Division 1 football program while earning a degree in business.

After college, Brian has held multiple management positions at restaurants and fitness studios. Brian currently owns and operates CrossFit Live Oak in the Montrose district, where he coaches and continues to share his passion for fitness with his extended family of athletes including Mike, and Brian’s awesome girlfriend Megan.

Mike and Brian are scheduled to leave Monterrey, California on June 2nd, check out The Captains Log or track track their adventure live through the Great Pacific Race™ Live Race Tracker, Mike’s Delorme, and Social Media!

This year RoadTripTee.com has donated $20,000 to Attack Poverty. In addition RTT will donate $3.00 for every “Make Every Row Count – Pacific 2018” Tee!