Cameron McEvoy has claimed the men's 200m freestyle title ahead of fellow Queenslander Dan Smith at the Swimming NSW State Championships in Sydney.
McEvoy's 1:46.85 on Saturday night was almost four seconds quicker than at the same meet last year and came after focusing heavily on his time over the first 100 metres.
Smith clocked 1:47.32 with local Kurt Herzog (1:47.80) third in the most tightly contested final of the championships' second night.
"I've gone 1:46 three times since December which is great," London Olympian and Rio Games hopeful McEvoy said.
"Last time I was 1:46 in season was leading into Commonwealth Games trials. I've surprised myself.
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"The main aim was definitely that first hundred. I haven't been able to attack that first hundred since Commonwealth Games and I think since that race there was a small mental barrier to do with that first hundred so tonight was about breaking that wall down and being comfortable with being uncomfortable."
With the impressive depth in the event and Grant Hackett still to be added into the mix, the showdown next month for two available individual Olympic berths promises much.
In Saturday's women's events Bronte Campbell returned to the pool but sister Cate went down with the illness that prevented her younger sibling swimming on Friday.
Bronte swam the 50m freestyle, posting her fastest time of the year (24.37) and giving her confidence in her rehabilitated hip ahead of Olympic trials.
"I've been really, really pleased," she said.
"When I started the year I was operating with my hip at about 10 per cent kick-wise. It wasn't looking very good but it is really promising having good swims both here and in Perth."
Denmark's Jeanette Ottesen took silver in 25.16 and Emma McKeon bronze in 25.18.
World Junior Champion Minna Atherton won her first ever senior title when she took out the women's 100m backstroke in 59.73 seconds to edge out Madison Wilson (59.80), with Hayley Baker third in 1:00.95.
Emma McKeon posted the fourth fastest 100m butterfly time of the year, winning in 57.24.
Multiple Olympic and Commonwealth Games medallist Alicia Coutts showed she is continuing to return to form, placing third in 57.53. Ottesen took silver in 57.40.
