A CARNEGIE Swimming Club star is hoping to blow the competition out the water at Glasgow 2014 after being picked for the Team Scotland aquatics squad.

Rachael O'Donnell, from Charlestown, has made it into the largest Scottish aquatics contingent to a Commonwealth Games.

Rachael (17), winner of Scottish Swimming's Citrus Trophy for best junior swim at the 2012 National Short Course Championships, qualified in the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle events.

Also selected was Dunfermline-born Kathryn Johnstone, a former Carnegie member who now swims for Edinburgh University.

She made the cut in the 50m and 100m breaststroke and the 4x100m medley.

Carnegie head coach John Szaranek told the Press, “It's a fantastic achievement for Rachael.

“It's great for her on an individual level and fantastic for the club to put swimmers in Team Scotland for Glasgow 2014.” It's hoped Rachael's selection will inspire her fellow club members and future generations of young swimmers at Carnegie.

John added, “It shows the structure and framework at Carnegie allows swimmers to progress to high levels.

“In the last few years we've been able to put swimmers into national teams and compete at international level.

“It's testament to what the club provides and it's great for her to have the exposure.” Louise Martin CBE, chair of sportscotland, congratulated the swimmers on their selection.

She said, “It is tremendous that the Team Scotland aquatics team is the largest ever to be sent to a Commonwealth Games.

“It is Scotland's most successful sport at this level and, with the talent in the team and their incredible strength of depth, I'm confident they will have another rewarding Games in Glasgow.”