Aug. 15, 2008
BEIJING, China - Washington State University swimmer Rugile (Rue-GEE-lay) Mileisyte (Meal-e-SHAY-ta) won her heat in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2008 Olympics, Friday.
A native of Alytus, Lithuania, Mileisyte finished the event in 26.19, quicker than her Olympic qualifying time of 26.32 she earned in a time trial at the Seven Hill Trophy meet in Rome, Italy, June 7.
Competing for her native country, the Cougar sophomore-to-be captured the sixth of 12 heats in the event, but did not advance to the semifinal races after finishing 39th among 92 swimmers. Her time was 1.99 seconds behind Australia's Cate Campbell, who posted the best time in the heats at 24.20. Mileisyte missed the cut for the semifinal races (top 16) by 1.12 seconds.
