Interlake High School graduate, Alex Love, has qualified for the February 2012 Olympic Trials in women’s boxing.

Due to her success in the National Police Athletic League championships in Toledo, Ohio Oct. 1-8, Love is now one of the “elite eight” in her 112-pound weight class. A Monroe native and Interlake High School graduate, Love worked for the City of Bellevue’s Parks and Recreation Department coaching youth sports.

A basketball player in high school, boxing went from being part of her cross-training program to a serious ambition summer 2010, when she startled the boxing world with a grand entrance.With less than 10 fights under her belt, she placed second at the National Golden Gloves in Florida and fourth at the USA nationals in California.

The sudden success caused a change in life plans for Love when she heard that women’s boxing would be added to the roster of Olympic sports for the 2012 London Games. She put getting her bachelor’s degree on hold and said bring on the challenge.

Last spring, she moved to Colorado, a hub for her sport, to seek out trainers and prepare herself in hopes of making one of six spots (three who compete, three alternates) on the USA Olympic team.

“She’s one step closer to her goal and dream,” said her father, Jack Love. “Go Alex!”