You may know her as the queen of the 800m at the collegiate level, having just won the NCAA Division I outdoor title in the event and dominating the distance all spring.
But before Michaela Rose became LSU's mid-distance star, she was commanding the AAU stage during her youth and high school days.
Rose, the No. 1-ranked recruit in the class of 2021, represented Faith Action Ministries (VA) at the AAU Junior Olympic Games throughout her young career, but it was the 2019 installment of the games that truly solidified Rose as a future star.
In Greensboro, Rose won not only her specialty 800m event for the 15-16yo age group, but also ran away with a 400mH title in just her first year competing in the event.
Rose clocked 2:05.53 to earn the 800m win and 58.16 for the 400mH title, which also happened to be her fifth-straight performance under 60 seconds during the 2019 season.
All of those sub-60 efforts also came in the month of June -- and it was the first season in her career that she had ever competed in the grueling 400mH event.
* Rose takes home a 400mH title for the 15-16yo age group at the 2019 AAU Junior Olympics.
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Rose would go on to win both events at the 2020 AAU Junior Olympics in her final trip to the event as a prep athlete, cementing her dominance in the unique double at the AAU level.
Since joining the LSU Tigers in the fall of 2021, Rose has shifted to a 800m focus, clocking a personal best of 1:59.08 and earning bronze at the 2023 NCAA Indoor Championships to go along with her outdoor gold medal.
She's even been a key player on the cross country course, too. Bumping up in distance and competing for LSU during the 2022 fall season, she logged a 6k personal best of 20:32.3 and went on to finish 25th at the NCAA South Central Regionals.
But that's not to say she hasn't tried her hand at the hurdles in college, too.
In her lone 400mH race donning the LSU uniform, Rose won in 57.62 at the LSU Joe May Invitational.
* Rose celebrates her 800m win at the NCAA Outdoor Championships in June.
Photo Credit: Ashley Tysiac/MileSplit
Related Links:
How To Watch The 2023 AAU Junior Olympic Games
AAU Junior Olympic Games meet coverage
Michaela Rose Has Can't-Miss Potential In The 400mH
