KIDDERMINSTER swimming sensation Amy Smith is hoping to achieve Commonwealth Games success with England next year after being called up for the 4 x 100m relay team.
The 18-year-old was selected for the GB squad after starring at the WASA Winter Long Course qualifiers in Swansea earlier this month.
Although she was an outsider in the women's 100m freestyle, she clocked the third best qualifying time of 56.98 seconds.
Smith rose to prominence as a member of Wyre Forest Swimming Club under Steve Joyce as coach and help from many others at the club, and has made rapid progress since starting training at Loughborough University, where she is studying for a sports and exercise science degree. She will jet off to Australia on February 20, taking part in a three-week training camp on the Gold Coast before heading for Melbourne for the 2006 Games.
Smith, who trains eight times a week with 14 hours in the pool and two in the gym, insists she is stunned and delighted by the call-up.
"Obviously it's a dream come true and I can't wait but I'm still in a state of shock at the moment," she said.
"I didn't expect to make the qualifying time for the relay, but since I've been at Loughborough my times seem to have come down.
"It should be a great experience taking part in the Commonwealth Games and I can't wait."
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