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While the pandemic year kept swimmers from their basic training and caused a lot of frustration, Catie DeLoof used it as a time of reflection.
She had graduated from Michigan, swam in the inaugural International Swimming League season, then joined her sisters swimming for Team Elite in San Diego.
But the more time she had to think, the more time DeLoof felt like she needed a change of scenery and mentality.
DeLoof decided to move to Virginia to swim as a post-grad with Todd DeSorbo, a change that ultimately got her onto the Olympic team.
“I don’t think I would have moved if COVID didn’t happen. It gave me time to reflect on what was working and what wasn’t. I took a step back in the sport and was asking myself tough questions. I needed people to see it the way I saw it,” Catie DeLoof told Swimming World. “I moved to Virginia because I was looking for something a little bit different. People in San Diego supported me but I didn’t feel as comfortable as I wanted. Getting to know Todd, I felt more comfortable and our aspirations kind of aligned.”
Catie DeLoof. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick
DeLoof finished fifth in the 100 freestyle at the Olympic Trials to qualify for Tokyo as a relay swimmer.
“I don’t think you can put it into words. Being able to represent your country at the highest level is an honor. I have dreamed of it for a long time. I hope I can inspire people back home. As long as you work hard and reach for your dreams, anything can happen,” DeLoof said.
While most swimmers touch the wall and know whether they have made the Olympic team or not, DeLoof was forced to wait. With the addition of new events and the rules for filling out the team the same, there was more of a stress waiting to find out if additional spots would have the space to be filled.
“It was definitely a little stressful and overwhelming, but I had to take it day by day. I was rooting for the people still swimming, so I wanted a spot for them and one for myself. I didn’t want to get too excited. I wish I had known for sure in the moment because it still hasn’t sunk in that I made the team. I don’t think it will until I get to Tokyo,” DeLoof said. “It was definitely a weight lifted off of my shoulders. I had my parents there. They were probably more excited than I was.”
Learning Curve
The DeLoof family has been a swimming staple for more than a decade.
Catie DeLoof is the third of four sisters in the family and the youngest of three who participated at Trials. Catie made the team, but Gabby DeLoof missed by one spot in the 200 free, finishing seventh — one spot away from a relay position. Ali DeLoof, the oldest and former short-course American record holder in the 100 backstroke, also swam well but didn’t make the team.
It added up to a stressful situation for the entire family.
Ali DeLoof (left), Catie DeLoof and Gabby DeLoof when they were on Team Elite. Photo Courtesy: DeLoof Family
“We all still love and support each other because we are a close tight-knit family. Ali had a great 200 backstroke, Gabby almost made it. We find good in the small things. We are never rooting against each other,” Catie said. “It would have been cool to have them here and with the year we had nothing was expected. To have at least one of us make the team is great. I know they will be cheering for me. Gabby swam before me. I was bummed out that she just missed it and I kind of swam the 100 free for her and Ali and my parents and family. It gave me more motivation and determination to make the team.”
It worked and Catie will head to Tokyo with her coach. She said during training camp in Hawaii, she has been learning more from DeSorbo, but also picking up things from fellow swimmers like Simone Manuel, Abbey Weitzeil, Erika Brown and others.
“I still have my coach here from Virginia, so training has been pretty much the same. But I have had the opportunity to train with some of the others like Simone and Erika and Abbey. It is nice to see what they are doing,” DeLoof said. “We want to be at our best when we get to Tokyo and that is the best way to do it. Being able to learn from each other has been really nice. We have all gotten to know each other pretty well at this point. We have played some games, had dinner together and learned a lot about each other. If anything, be expected to the unexpected. You never know if someone is going to touch the wall long or short and if someone gets DQd. Being able to calm and relax. That has helped me grow on relays. This is the first time for me seeing how everyone swims.”
Picking up things quickly from others is something that Catie DeLoof has put together a history doing. She picked up things from her older sisters, both in high school and at the University of Michigan. She picked up things from Michigan coaches Mike Bottom and Rick Bishop, as well as teammates like Siobhan Haughey.
Now, she is picking up things from Olympic teammates and DeSorbo.
That is something that immediately paid dividends with her move to Virginia, and her decision to go there. But unlike college recruiting where the athlete is in demand, post-grads face a reverse situation.
“It is definitely different. You have to put yourself out there and you are the one asking all of the tough questions,” she said. “Him having such a small group at Virginia maybe made it a little easier (to take on a post-grad). I talked to some of my friends who were swimmers. The swimming community is small and we know a lot of people. One of my friends told me it was a good match. I was a little hesitant because Todd is such a ball of energy and I am kind of the opposite. But it was really an easy conversation.”
Then the real process began, with a quick turnaround needed before the trials.
“The most important thing that I have learned from him is lifting. I have lifted heavy. It has never been a focus, it has always been in the background. I have always known I needed to get stronger,” she said. “Todd understood how I reacted to things and understood when to take a step back and when to step in and remind me of something. I wasn’t used to lifting heavy, so my body was going to break down a little more with the bigger workload. Definitely my kick and my pull are stronger. I have never pulled as much as I had with Todd. I use so much more equipment to kick than I ever was used to. That has helped me a lot— going out. I have never gone out very fast. I build into my races more. I still build, but now I build a little faster and now that is where the strength of the weight room helps me.”
It was tough moving away from her sisters. They have been teammates most of their careers dating back to before high school and are part of an extremely close family.
But Catie made the move to branch out, which was supported by everyone.
“I was able to learn a lot more about myself than I would have with my sisters. It is so natural to fall back on your family. We had everything going for us and had it so organized and nice (living together). This allowed me to grow and see different sides of myself and communicate better. That eventually led to more growth in the water. I love my sisters and still talk to them every day. They mean a lot to me,” she said.
Catie DeLoof; Photo Courtesy: MIKE LEWIS/ISL
The Future
Catie DeLoof wasn’t sure if she would swim past the Olympic trials, but making the team reinvigorated her for another ISL season. She was re-drafted by the Tokyo Frog Kings.
“It kept me motivated to swim afterward. I don’t have a definite answer past that,” she said. “I take things very slowly. I only decided a few days before Hawaii that I was going to continue to swim. I only know that I am going to do ISL for sure. Then I will re-evaluate and see if it is still what I want to do.”
Now, she is focused on the swim of a lifetime on the Olympic stage as the U.S. aims for gold in the 4×100 free relay.
“I don’t think it is anything different. We still have to swim a 100 freestyle. It is a little bit more fun. I have the opportunity to swim with the four fastest swimmers in the United States. Not many people can do that. Relays give you more motivation to swim for something bigger than yourself,” Catie DeLoof said. “It is also remembering to stay in the moment because it is an opportunity of a lifetime.”
I am so proud of you Catie and all your achievements . You come from a loving close knit family . I tell all my friends that I know an Olympic swimmer. They will be looking out for you . I was delighted to see you on TV a few weeks ago . You embody the true Olympic spirit . May God bless you . Good luck.
Oh I am so proud of you Catie Bear ? . I remember swimming with you when you were in grade school and realized you were one of my torpedoes. Then at The University of Michigan and I told Mike Bottom the Head coach and that I liked the way he was handling my torpedoes. His reply was what do you do with a torpedo, you put it in the water and let it go.That was with Gabby when she introduced me to him after the team won the BIG TEN TITLE. Stay strong and courageous. And swim ? fast. Love, Uncle Jim ?????
??one of your BIGGEST FAN?
Best of luck Catie, God bless,
protect, & give you “water” wings to
propel you to a successful finish??
Good luck Catie. I am so excited to watch you in the Olympics. Your E Derm family is rooting for you. Godspeed!!
I am watching the Olympic swimming competitions and praying a lot for you, Catie. Good Luck!