Rising star Rohan Browning fired a timely Commonwealth Games reminder in Canberra on Friday night, edging out teen sensation rival Jack Hale to win the 100 metres titles at the ACT athletics championships.
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But Canberra sprint queen Melissa Breen erred on the side of caution to avoid further injury to a nagging hamstring problem, deciding to withdraw from the women's race to keep her sights firmly on the Commonwealth Games.
Breen is hopeful rest will ease the pain in her hamstring as she prepares for the national titles and Commonwealth Games trials in three weeks.
A race on her home track would have been a perfect chance to boost her confidence, but she will wait until her body is fully fit before chasing a spot on the Australian team for the Games on the Gold Coast in April.
Queenslander Riley Day stepped up in Breen's absence to clock a personal best time and win the ACT title, beating Maddie Coates and Larissa Pasternatsky across the line.
But it was a tight men's battle that set the track alight on the opening night of the championships as Browning, Hale and Trae Williams all stopped the clock at 10.23 seconds with minimal wind assistance.
Officials moved the 100 metre finals to the back straight at the AIS to give the athletes the best chance to clock personal bests and Commonwealth Games qualifiers.
They had to scramble for times in a photo finish when Browning, Hale and Williams crossed the line in a near triple dead heat
In the end, Browning won in a time of 10.225 seconds, but nothing could separate Williams and Hale at 10.228 seconds.
It continued Browning's perfect season and the 20-year-old is now unbeaten in three 100 metre and three 200 metre races, and he will now turn his attention to the Commonwealth Games trials on February 15-18 on the Gold Coast.
Hale has commanded much of the attention since breaking on to the national stage three years ago, but Browning has been hot on his heels and says the competition between the trio will drive them to greater results.
"When it comes down to the like that, that's racing. Pure and simple, and it was fun," Browning said.
"You always know Jack is going to get out well. I could see him out of the corner of my eye, but sometimes that plays tricks on you.
"I've still got the undefeated streak going this season, so that was a bit of pride and ego [on the line]. Every time you race these guys you put that on the line so it was good to just edge them out.
"It's funny because it's the same crop of guys who were coming through in 2014 when we were 16 or 17 ... look at the potential relay team, it's nuts."
Day, 17, took another step towards her Commonwealth Games debut with a strong win in the women's event, clocking a personal best and finishing 0.07 seconds ahead of Coates.
Day competed at the world championships last year in the 200 metres, and will back up in her pet event in Canberra on Saturday.
"I'm very happy with that one, I didn't expect it," Day said.
"I knew I had some stiff competition coming into it ... so I'm really happy with it. It's a PB for me. I'm working really hard to get to [the Commonwealth Games], but if it doesn't happen I know I've done all I could.
"It's a shame I couldn't go up for Mel, but I wish her well for her recovery. I'm in a good mind frame to go into the next competitions."
ATHLETICS ACT CHAMPIONSHIPS
Saturday and Sunday: Events start from 1.30pm on Saturday. Sunday from 8.30am. Entry is free.
