Baton Rouge, La. – The LSU track and field team landed the nation’s top female recruit as Michaela Rose from Suffolk, Va., signed with the Tigers. Rose was homeschooled in high school but competed for the club track and field team, Faith in Action Ministries.
“We’re can’t wait to welcome Michaela Rose to our program,” head coach Dennis Shaver said. “Michaela is the premier recruit in the country for this class. She’s a well-rounded student-athlete that will make our program better on and off the track.”
Rose has garnered a lot of attention during her high school career as it was a very successful one. The Suffolk, Va., native won titles at the 2020 AAU National Olympic Junior Games in the 400 meter hurdles and the 800 meter run. Rose was also the winner of the 400 meter dash and the 800 meter event at the 2019 New Balance Nationals Outdoor. She ran a personal record time of 2:04.38 to claim the title in the 800 meters and a season best time of 55.20 in the 400 meters to win the gold. The nation’s top track and field athlete was the winner of the 400 meter hurdles with a personal record time of 58.16 at the 2019 AAU Junior National Olympic Games. In 2018, Rose won the gold medal in the 800 meter run at the USATF Hershey National Junior Olympic Championships.
“We are super excited to have Michaela join the LSU family,” LSU distance coach Houston Franks said. “She is a special athlete with a great skill set, coupled with an unmatched desire and work ethic that has helped her excel in many areas of track and field.”
She owns PRs of 25.79 (200 meters), 54.36 (400 meters) at the 2018 New Balance Nationals Outdoor meet, and 2:04.38 (800 meters). Track and field has always been a part of her life as both of her parents ran track in college at Auburn University; they both trained under current LSU head coach Dennis Shaver when he was an assistant at Auburn. Rose also has an older brother, Michael, who runs track for Liberty University.