2021 SCAR December Invite
- December 18-19, 2021
- Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre, Toronto, Ont.
- SCM (25m)
- Results (swimrankings)
- Results on Meet Mobile: “SCAR December Invite 2021”
Coming off of a busy few months of racing in the International Swimming League (ISL) over in Europe, Javier Acevedo remained in the flow of competition over the weekend at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC), breaking a longstanding Canadian Record in the men’s 200 butterfly.
Competing at the 2021 SCAR (Scarborough Swim Club) December Invite, Acevedo registered a time of 1:52.93 in the 200 fly (short course meters), knocking a full half-second off a national record that had been on the books for more than 13 years.
The old Canadian Record of 1:53.43 was set by Stefan Hirniak back at the 2009 British Gas Grand Prix, a meet that saw the Canadians break multiple world records in the now-banned super-suits.
Split Comparison
| Hirniak, 2009 | Acevedo, 2021 |
| 25.61 | 25.13 |
| 28.79 (54.40) | 28.55 (53.68) |
| 29.03 (1:23.43) | 29.03 (1:22.71) |
| 30.00 (1:53.43) | 30.22 (1:52.93) |
Prior to this swim, Acevedo, 23, had only raced the 200 fly (short course or long course) once since 2011, clocking 2:08.36 in the LCM pool in May of 2015. As a result, his 1:52.93 marked a near 48-second best time in SCM.
That time would’ve placed Acevedo 15th in the event at the recently-concluded Short Course World Championships in Abu Dhabi. Despite finishing second overall on the medal table, the Canadians only brought three male swimmers to the meet.
Acevedo, a former member of the Georgia Bulldogs in the NCAA, qualified for the 2016 Canadian Olympic team in the men’s 100 backstroke, and made his second Olympic squad this past summer in Tokyo, swimming the lead-off leg on Canada’s mixed 400 medley relay that placed 13th.
He then switched gears to the ISL season, making his league debut in Season 3 for the LA Current, and proved to be an incredibly valuable swimmer across a myriad of events.
Previously known primarily for his backstroking abilities, Acevedo took on breaststroke duties for the Current down the stetch of the season and also emerged as one of the league’s top medley swimmers, placing third in both the 100 and 200 IM in the ISL Final.
The Ajax Aquatic Club swimmer lowered the Canadian Record in the 100 IM during the league final in Eindhoven, clocking 51.76, though that mark was lowered this past week by Finlay Knox (51.70) at SC Worlds.
Acevedo also reset the national record in the 50 back in the ISL regular season, clocking 23.49, and is the co-record holder in the LCM 50 back with Russell Wood at 25.13.
Well done, Javi!
Congrats Javi!
Why no sc world champs for Javier?
Swim Canada hates men.
Because like a number of other countries CAN selected their team from summer ie Olympic results. Somewhat understandable but frustrating as along with Acevedo, Sophie-Harvey, Ingrid Wilm and possibly a couple others who had really successful fall SC seasons were left off.
Tbh Javi hasn’t been great for 5 years! Many don’t understand how he got picked for Tokyo!
Hot take here. Javi was top 4 in the 100 free at trials they should have used him on the 4×100 instead of Brent who didn’t break 50 at trials.
But didn’t Brent validate the selection?
Its kind of unclear. He swam the fina A before trials but then Yuri and Josh both swam the fina A at trials so from what I understood about the selection criteria and why Javi made it was times swam before trials were considered for individual spots but the relay spots were top 4 at trials regardless of what people swam prior.
And it worked out in all ways as they had depth for relays plus the best 2 options for the Ind 100 free. As epic as Brent’s 100 free was leading the relay, and correct choice, not sure if he was ready for an additional 3 100 Frees individually in short order.
Acevedo was insurance as a depth spot in case of further injury agrivation for Brent or Yuri… Or a COVID issue for anyone. Same as Smith in the 100 breast and Sophie-Harvey for 4*2.
I’d have to disagree. No one can deny that putting Brent on the 4×100 payed off but he should’t have been able to swim it at all. They only let him because swim Canada likes him. If anyone else swam a 21 in the 50 free then went 50. In the 100 and scratched the final because of back pain they’d say try again next year. Acevedo was selected to swim the 4×100 and he should have. Also Smith shouldn’t have been on the team they took 1st and 3rd in the 100 br. Sophie-Harvey was chosen because everyone swimming the 4×200 had a big event schedule which makes sense. But there was to much favouritism with Brent and Smith.
Guess depends on your point of view. My take is you put the fastest people in that you’ve got. It’s not a participation meet. No one was denied a spot on Canada’s team because Brent swam. He proved in May and prelims he was fit enough back wise and fast enough. When you’re trying to win an NHL or Olympic hockey game you play your best players, period, and use your depth to support as needed, period.
For Smith they had no other option in breast as Nichols did not make the standard inside the Q period or at Trials. They for sure would have taken her if so. Sydney was probably 3rd option on breast in case of initially… Read more »
I agree with you however if you look back at 2016 trials Krug swam the 4th fastest time in the prelim added time and didn’t make it even though he was faster than 4th place. No question putting Brent on the team was the best call but typically in our sport if you dont do it at trials you aren’t swimming it later. All I’m trying to say is Acevedo out preformed Brent at trials so he should have been able to swim the event he qualified in.
I have nothing against Smith but she shouldn’t have been on the team. She did swim the time in 2019 but she came 3rd at trials and didn’t get the time.… Read more »
Smith’s addition, while a bit eye brow rasing I admit, hurt no one as no one else qualified. No matter what anyone wished Nichols did not have the standard anytime in the Q period and was not eligible in any way. Smith was a backup selection in case a) Wog or Sydney or both were way off or had a covid issue and we need ‘any’ Breaststroker.
Acevedo did not ‘out performe’ Brent. Brent was slightly injured which was readily documented. As was Kisil after prelims. If both swam in the final Acevedo would have been the 6th option. He was somewhat lucky he was selected at all, but again a smart depth move in case of. He was only… Read more »
Brent’s injury was not like Kisil. Kisil got the fina A in prelims and again Brent was 50. Something
Brent had the A standard from the previous year and only a couple weeks prior, so he more than proved his speed and fitness as long as his back was ok. In fact it was largely because of Brent’s leadoff at the time trial in May that help the team go from a precarious bonus position to securing a relay berth.
Once you are on the team in any way everyone is eligible for relays, fastest at the time, best chance to win/medal period. Having depth like Acevedo and Sophie-Harvey is something Canada has rarely had and helps immensely to rest swimmers for finals.
Completely agree with everything. One step further, relays are selected at the actual games/international events based on how you are racing at the time as sometimes can be very different than trials. For example Pickrem vs Wog who was struggling and also got DQ’d on breast which we just saw at scm Worlds can repeat and then jeopardize relay. Elite sport does not always appear fair and not for everyone.
Nichols was also denied a spot to train at HPC when Alberta was shut down even though she was one of the top breaststrokers. If I were her, I’d be wondering what I did to offend them
That’s interesting and disappointing if true…
Absolutely. They would have struggled to make finals otherwise and therefore may not have had that epic swim.