But that was set in the era of high-performance swimsuits, a period that saw the most prolific spate of record-breaking times in the sport?s history.
On Saturday night, kitted out in simple, knitted fabric, the 21 year-old managed virtually to match a time she had achieved with technological enhancement.
It would have been good enough to take gold at last year?s world championships in Shanghai.
?Wow,? she said. ?I knew coming into this meet that I was in great shape and that I was swimming fast. But to do that on the last day of the meet, I?m blown away.
"Me and Ben [Titley, her coach] thought we could definitely get around 24.5. But to get 24.1- oh my god, I?m so happy.?
As with strawberries and the British countryside, it is not until high summer that we usually see Halsall at her best. By her own admission, she has always struggled to hit peak form in the early months of the year.
But if this really was her B-game, then one can only imagine what she still has in her locker.
?I?ll come in here in the summer full of confidence now,? she said. ?I can?t wait. For the first time in my life, I?ve rocked it out at the trials!?
It was her second title of the week, after winning her strongest event, the 100 metres freestyle on Thursday.
Having also secured her place at London 2012 in the 100 metres butterfly last Sunday, and with two relay events also to look forward to, Halsall?s performance last night raised the faint possibility of a gold medal challenge on an unprecedented five fronts.
?It?ll be a busy week, but it?s good,? she said. ?It keeps me out of trouble, keeps me entertained. Five gold medals is a big ask from anyone - apart from Michael Phelps - but I?ll be happy with one.?
Behind Halsall in second place last night was 24-year-old Amy Smith, who also booked her place in the event at London in a personal best time of 24.80.
In the night?s other final, the men?s 1500 metres freestyle, Daniel Fogg upset former Olympics bronze medallist David Davies, shattering his personal best by over 11 seconds as he won in a time of 14 minutes, 55.30 seconds.
Davies trailed in five seconds behind him, but his time was still good enough to take the second qualification spot in the event.
Halsall?s earth-shattering performance sealed what has been a resoundingly successful week for British swimming.
Nineteen men and seventeen women qualified for the London 2012 team, and of those, at least half will arrive in the Olympic village in July with making a final the very least of their ambitions.
Rebecca Adlington, Hannah Miley, Liam Tancock and Ellen Gandy have all looked in sparkling form, while the disappointments - Jaz Carlin and Thomas Haffield among them - have been remarkably few.
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