Gretchen Walsh produced the thriller of day 2 at U.S. Nationals with a 24.66 Open and Championship record in the 50m butterfly, Sarah Sjöström's 24.43 global high bar feeling the breeze of challenge for the first time since the Swedish ace's blast in Borås 11 years ago.

There were also wins for Walsh's Virginia mate Kate Douglass, the Olympic 200m breaststroke champion claiming the automatic ticket to World titles in Singapore this July and August, with Gretchen's sister Alex Walsh a second back for silver ; Claire Curzan in the 200m backstroke, Regan Smith sure to be at the global showcase in the 200 'fly and 200 back but second in both events in Indianapolis this week; Jack Aikins in the 200m backstroke a touch ahead of Keaton Jones, both on 1:54s; Josh Matheny in the 200m breaststroke a touch ahead of Ananias (A J) Pouch; and Dare Rose a touch ahead of Michael Andrew in the 50 'fly.

Ahead of all of that, Luke Hobson ahead of Gabriel Jett and Claire Weinstein ahead of Katie Ledecky in the 200 free finals (those signed up for newsletters, click on the link for updates to files):

Hobson Joins Sub 1:44 Club & Walsh Jets Home In 24.6 As Californian Games Dreaming Gets Real

Superb efforts from Luke Hobson and Gretchen Walsh point to golden prospects at World Championships in Singapore, while the turbulence in the podium pecking order in all day 2 finals at U.S. Nationals gave us a glimpse of home-Games aspiration washing through the American ranks

State Of Swimming +Craig Lord

The USA team certs after two days:

Read on for Day 2 Race Reports and Results: