MANKATO — Once upon a time, Mat Schnorenberg sat down to relax.

But he can’t remember when.

“When I get free time, I don’t know what to do with it,” said the Mankato East senior who is Harvard-bound this fall. “I guess I like staying busy.”

That’s an understatement.

Schnorenberg’s list of activities and involvements reads like a blueprint for the well-rounded student. And for his efforts, he was recently named Minnesota’s Triple-A Award winner, an accolade that recognizes students for excellence in arts, academics and athletics. 

He’s a decorated three-sport athlete — wrestling, track and football — and participates in several different bands, choirs and orchestras. He’s taken five advanced placement classes and boasts a better-than-perfect 4.174 grade-point average. He’s never received anything less than an A for a class grade but admits he almost got a B+ in an engineering class last semester.

He’s a National Merit commended scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. He’s in Math League and he’s an Eagle Scout. He has built wooden boardwalks to help disabled anglers navigate the sand in their wheelchairs and recently penned an eloquent letter to the School Board expressing the importance of music programs in the face of budget reductions.

Even after graduation in June, Schnorenberg has no plans of slowing down.

Faced with the dreadful prospect of having some free time this summer with no football camps to attend or college-entrance exams to prep for, Schnorenberg decided to fill his schedule by joining the Mankato 77 Lancers marching band.

“I figured it would give me something to do,” he said.

But those who know him say Schnorenberg’s character is as remarkable as his resume.

Classmates selected him as the school’s Jack of Hearts during its March coronation ceremony. And he’s been voted captain on too many teams to list.

Craig Kopetzki, East’s band director, said Schnorenberg possesses a rare combination of talent and motivation.

“He’s probably the best student I’ve ever had,” Kopetzki said. “I’ll be using him as an example for years.”

That’s not to say, however, that Schnorenberg’s accomplishments have come easily.

On a typical weekday, he’s awake before sunrise. He arrives at school by 6:30 a.m., usually with a car load of friends he picks up for a little weight-lifting before class starts. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he’ll squeeze in a band practice before school, too.

After school, it’s time for sports. And after sports, it’s time for homework. If there’s any time left in the day, he’ll take off his cape and maybe sleep a few hours.

“We’ve always had to encourage him to do less,” said mother Sandi, who sounded as if she was only half-kidding. “But his hard work is paying off. He’s earned everything he’s gotten.”

This fall, Schnorenberg said he’s “99 percent sure” he’ll be attending Harvard. He’s planning on pursuing a degree in the physical sciences (he’s interested in researching medicine) and is going to try out for the football team as a linebacker.

He said he’s a bit anxious about moving to the East Coast, but said he’ll find something to do when he gets there.

“Whatever I find,” he said.

Schnorenberg is the first male recipient of the state Triple-A Award in Mankato East history and in district history. Mankato West’s Lori Kocher won the award in 1990.