Rachel Reilly, a 2007 graduate of Western Carolina University, has been named as part of the cast for “The Amazing Race.”

Reilly, who graduated with a degree in chemistry, got her reality television start on the set of “Big Brother” during the show’s 12th season in 2010. She eventually went on to win the show last year and pocket $500,000. While on “Big Brother,” Reilly met her fiancé, Brendon Villegas. Reilly and Villegas will now compete together as one of 11 teams on “The Amazing Race.”

On “The Amazing Race,” Reilly and the rest of the contestants will have the opportunity to travel across five continents, 22 cities and close to 40,000 miles for a chance to win a $1 million grand prize.

“‘The Amazing Race’ has excellence written all over it,” Reilly said in a statement issued through her mother. “The viewer will clearly see that. Beyond that, ‘The Amazing Race’ is just that — amazing.  One can hardly describe the experience. It is physical, indeed, but ‘The Amazing Race’ is so much more. It is cultural. It is educational, and it has heart.”

Reilly is originally from Cabarrus County. The first episode of this season is set to air on CBS at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb 19.