Six-time Paralympic medallist Roy Perkins Jr. was among the event winners ©Getty Images

Fourteen-year-old Alexander Quesada-Amor broke one of seven national record as the US Paralympic Swim Trials began at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center in Charlotte.

Quesada-Amor clocked a blistering mark of 1min 22.40sec in the men's SB14 100 breaststroke on a day in which emerging and established American stars lay down a mantle ahead of Rio 2016. 

His mark was the second record of the day to fall after Garner Moss managed 2:20.14 in the men's S14 200m freestyle.
In the morning session alone, London 2012 Paralympian Dalton Herendeen also posted an American and Pan American record in the men's SB8 100 breaststroke, finishing in 1:14.59. 

Tharon Drake also broke national and continental marks in the men's SB11 100 breaststroke, touching the wall at 1:10.85.

Records to continued to tumble in front of an enthusiastic crowd in the evening session.

London 2012 Paralympian Colleen Young first dropped nearly two second off her preliminary time, achieving an American and Pan American record with a time of 1:16.72 in the women's SB13 100 breaststroke.

Jessica Long was one of the highest-profile stars competing on the opening day of the Championships ©Getty Images
Jessica Long was one of the highest-profile stars competing on the opening day of the Championships ©Getty Images

One heat later Leslie Cichocki clocked 1:30.63 in the women's SB14 100 breaststroke.

London 2012 Paralympian Evan Austin also impressed with a time of 1:23.39 in the men's SB7 100 breaststroke.

Other winners included Jessica Long, who is looking to make a fourth US Paralympic team, in the women's S8 400 freestyle.

Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games bronze medalist McClain Hermes and two-time medalist Sophia Herzog and six-time Paralympic medalist Roy Perkins Jr. were among other winners.

The US are looking to beat their haul of 14 gold, 13 silver and 14 bronze medals achieved in the pool at the London 2012 Paralympics.

Prelims and finals in the 50 backstroke, 100 butterfly, 50 butterfly and 50 freestyle are due to take place tomorrow.