Aussie teen phenom breaks national 100m record

Australia has a new national record holder in the women's 100m dash after teen phenom Torrie Lewis blasted down the straight in Canberra on Saturday.

In a scintillating run in the women's 100m final at the ACT Championships, the 19-year-old stopped the clock at 11.10 seconds (+1.6) to break the Australian women's record by 0.01 of a second.

The previous national women's record holder, Melissa Breen, posted 11.11 seconds (+1.9) at the same meet in 2014.

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Lewis also broke the national women's under-20 record of 11.20 (+1.2), set by sprinting great Raelene Boyle at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Lewis fell just short of nailing the Paris Olympics entry standard of 11.07 in the nation's capital.

Torrie Lewis (left) and Ebony Lane in action on Saturday. (Athletics Australia/James Mowle)

She smashed her personal best of 11.23 (+0.5). She even broke her "all conditions" personal best of 11.18, assisted by an illegal wind of +3.8 (metres per second).

Ebony Lane had the best start in Saturday's race, but Lewis hit the lead about midway through and streaked to victory comfortably.

Lane finished second in 11.34 and Bree Masters third in 11.35.

"To me, it is finally here. I've been after times like these for what seems like ages now, never letting myself think too much of it but always wanting to get there," Lewis told Athletics Australia.

"That junior record which I have been very close to, I'm glad to get under it finally.

"I came into this competition not even really focusing on the 100m, wanting to focus more on the 200m.

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Ebony Lane (left) and Bree Masters (right) celebrate Torrie Lewis' record-breaking run. (Athletics Australia/James Mowle)

"This is probably the most relaxed I have been in a competition and to be honest it paid off.

"I just think in sport, I want to get so far and I want to do the best I can. I want to go to the Olympics and do everything, so these leaps that I am making are on the road to getting there."

Lewis was stunned and elated when she realised she had broken the national record, putting a hand over her mouth as she beamed with joy. Lane and Masters embraced their young rival, giving her a big hug and congratulating her.

Breen made a classy social media post after Lewis broke her record.

"Records are made to be broken," Breen wrote.

"It's been an absolute honour and privilege to be the Australian record holder of the 100m for almost a decade.

"Congratulations Torrie Lewis, coach Andrew Iselin and your entire team.

"The baton is now yours, carry it with pride and purpose every day."

Lewis made a breakthrough in her budding career last year, making her first senior Australian team when she was selected for the World Athletics Championships, held in Budapest.

She also won the sprint double at last year's Australian Track and Field Championships in Brisbane, showing her brilliance over 100m and 200m.

Lewis is aiming to compete at the Paris Olympics in August, as well as the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru later in the month.