Former Downers Grove South track standout Egle Staisiunaite qualifies for IAAF Worlds

DOWNERS GROVE – Egle Staisiunaite was one of the most decorated athletes in the history of Downers Grove South's girls track and field program.

She will have a chance to earn more hardware starting Aug. 22.

Staisiunaite will represent Lithuania in the 400-meter hurdles at the International Association of Athletic Federation track and field World Championships in Beijing. Qualifying heats of the 400 hurdles begin on the first day of the championships on Aug. 22.

At the Speed River New Balance Inferno Track and Field Festival in Guelph, Ontario, Canada, earlier this summer, Staisiunaite ran a personal best of 56.36 seconds to qualify for the World Championships.

Staisiunaite still holds DGS school records in the 100 and 300 hurdles at the frosh/sophomore and varsity levels, and she was a state champion in both events as a senior in 2007. She competed in the 2012 London Olympics for Lithuania, nearly qualifying for the hurdles semifinals and finishing 34th overall.

The hurdles finals at the IAAF World Championships are scheduled to take place on Aug. 26.