Aurora University had high hopes when they added world class throws coach Alex Rose to their track and field coaching staff last fall and in his first year Rose has surpassed every expectation placed upon him. The Spartan men and women's throws squad greatly improved this year, through the development of athletes such as: Brandon Pichen, Hannah Meager, and Ashley Johnson. But during the year Rose has been more than just a coach, as he was chasing his dream at qualifying for the Olympics in discus at the same time. After his latest throwing competition, that dream will become a reality.

At a recent meet in California, Rose threw a Samoan national record distance of 65.74m (215'6"), which will allow him to represent Samoa this summer at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rose holds dual citizen of both the United States and Samoa. While he was born and raised in the United States, Rose will compete for his father's home country of Samoa, a small island to the East of Australia.

Do you have any place goals or marks you want to attain at the Olympics?
It would be an honor to qualify for the Olympic Final in Rio. Basically I would have to be ranked in the top 12 athletes after the qualification round to make this happen.

When did you first know that you'd have a possibility of competing in the Olympics?
To be honest, I never entertained the actual idea of competing in the Olympics until after my freshman year of college. Sure, I had dreamed of it before that, but most high school athletes probably do. It wasn't until I had a breakout year at the NCAA Division I level that I actually believed I had a chance at getting there.

Who were some people you could not have completed your goals without?
John Ridgway, my coach at Central Michigan University, taught me so much about not just throwing, but life. He gave me the passion and determination to wake up every day and fight for my dream.

My parents Ross and Laurie Rose have always been extremely supportive during my discus career. It's been a struggle to keep training after college- financially, physically, and emotionally. Throughout all of this they have given me nothing but support. In a few months they will be proud parents of an Olympian as a result!

Dane Miller, co-owner of Earth Fed Muscle, was my first sponsor this past year. He believed in me and gave me some much needed help during the process. He works as my online coach, and also writes my lifting program. He turned me into a much more explosive athlete, and has really helped my technique over the last 8 months.

How long have you been throwing for?
I have been throwing since I was 16 years old, my junior year in high school.

What does this accomplishment mean to you?
Qualifying for the Olympics means so much to me. It's hard to really express. As soon as I heard the official announce my mark on Sunday, 65.73m, I just thought of all of the pain I had to endure in order to get to where I am today, and all of the work I had put into my training. I thought of the thousands of hours I had spent dedicating myself to the discus, and also the time spent pushing carts or bouncing in order to support myself. I thought of my grandfather telling me to "Let it Fly" at every track meet I've been too, and the words "Dare Greatly" that I have tattooed on my arm as a reminder to myself. It was a very emotional moment where I was caught somewhere between laughing hysterically and weeping.

Rose also wanted to make sure to mention his fiancé Sam Stein who he calls his "biggest fan" and he thanks her for supporting him while he follows his dream. Like Sam, coaches and athletes at Aurora University and many others who have had the honor of knowing Alex, will be rooting for him as he continues his pursuit of excellence in discus at the 2016 Olympic Games.