With under 200 days to go until the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, the first athletes to represent Team Scotland have been named in Swimming.
A total of 21 athletes have been confirmed following nominations from Scottish Swimming and subsequent ratification by Commonwealth Games Scotland.
The Swimming team contains a mix of youth and experience with 13 of the 21 swimmers having competed for Team Scotland at Glasgow 2014, complemented by a number of young talents making the team for the first time. Ross Murdoch and Dan Wallace will defend their Commonwealth Games titles down under, with Hannah Miley aiming to make it three 400m Individual Medley titles in a row, which would be a record for any sport.
Just 17 when he took silver as part of the 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay team three years ago in Glasgow, Duncan Scott will be looking to step up in Gold Coast on the back of medal success in the relays at both the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and 2017 World Championships. Scott was not the only athlete on the World Championship podium this summer and fellow gold medallist in the 4x200m Freestyle Relay, Stephen Milne will also be one to watch.
Kathleen Dawson has also made huge advances since Glasgow 2014. The 20-year old backstroke specialist took bronze in the 100m event at the 2016 European Championships, adding gold in the Medley Relay, and was a finalist in both events at this year’s World Championships in Budapest.
Team Scotland's most successful Youth Games athlete in history, with five medals at Bahamas 2017 just over two months ago, 18-year-old Scott McLay makes an immediate step up into the senior team. He is joined by 2015 Youth Games silver medallist Craig McLean and bronze medallist at the recent World Junior Championships, Keanna MacInnes.
Jon Doig OBE, Team Scotland Chef de Mission, said: “We are delighted to welcome our first athletes to Team Scotland 2018. We are off to a strong start with Swimming and Lawn Bowls, two of Scotland’s most successful Commonwealth Games sports with a track record of success in Australia. They are also two of Australia’s top sports, so we can count on a fantastic atmosphere and tough competition in Gold Coast.
“Congratulations to all athletes selected and we look forward to Team Scotland 2018 taking shape over the coming months.”
Performance Director of Scottish Swimming, Ally Whike said: “I have been very pleased with the approach of the swimmers to the challenge of qualification. This will hold them in good stead to perform at the top of their game come April.”
Aileen Campbell, Minister for Public Health and Sport, said: “Congratulations to the athletes chosen to represent Scotland at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games. Swimming helped us to our record medal haul in Glasgow and I have no doubt both sports will contribute to further success. The squads contain a mixture of experience and debutants with “Tattie” Marshall competing in his sixth games to Scott McLay stepping up from becoming Scotland’s most successful athlete at the Youth Commonwealth Games earlier this year. In Women and Girls and Sport Week, it’s great to see Hannah Miley, Kathleen Dawson selected to compete in Gold Coast.”
The team consists of:
Name Hometown / Lives
Craig Benson Livingston / Stirling
Mark Campbell Peterhead / Aberdeen
Sean Campsie Livingston / Falkirk
Euan Inglis Aberdeen / Edinburgh
Kieran McGuckin Falkirk / Edinburgh
Scott McLay Perth / Stirling
Craig McLean Livingston / Stirling
Craig McNally Edinburgh / Glasgow
Stephen Milne Perth / Perth
Ross Murdoch Balfron / Stirling
Duncan Scott Alloa / Stirling
Mark Szaranek Glenrothes / Florida, USA
Calum Tait Milngavie / Edinburgh
Jack Thorpe Milngavie / Edinburgh
Dan Wallace Edinburgh / Edinburgh
Kathleen Dawson Warrington / Stirling
Lucy Hope Jedburgh/ Edinburgh
Keanna MacInnes Edinburgh / Edinburgh
Hannah Miley Inverurie / Aberdeen
Corrie Scott Strathaven / Edinburgh
Cassie Wild Edinburgh / Mold