One by one, the DeLoof sisters moved to San Diego for a fresh start with Team Elite.
Reunited, the trio of All-Americans from Michigan have been swimming for Team USA with eyes on the Tokyo Olympics.
But after the COVID-19 pandemic closed pools and postponed the Olympics, Ali, Gabby and Catie DeLoof felt like they were in the perfect place to ride out a quarantine — together.
“We were going to come back home, but it was just too stressful to think about, so we decided to stay here. It was a better choice to stay here in San Diego,” Ali DeLoof said.
It has proved to be an adventure for the trio.
“It is definitely good to be living with other people at this time. I think I would go crazy not talking with anyone if I didn’t live with them,” Catie DeLoof said. “It is something that is hard for people to understand unless you have siblings in the same sport. We know each other the best and know what each other needs. That is our secret weapon. You can see things in each other’s eyes without having to say it. You can read emotions better than anyone. We use it all the time.”
Of course it isn’t always easy, but the DeLoof sisters realize how fortunate they are to have each other when many swimmers and people around the world are in some form of solitude.
“You don’t realize how good you have it by not having to go through the quarantine alone,” Gabby DeLoof said. “That is eye opening. I still can do things with my sisters and that has been very nice. We have people to talk to and relate to about what is going on and how we are dealing with everything. It can be tough when we are in each other’s space for so long. We had to learn how to deal with that. And I think we have grown a lot together during this time.”
Into the Great Wide Open
Helping that growth has been the built-in adventure of swimming open water in the Pacific Ocean.
The DeLoof sisters have been a part of several ocean swims and surfing expeditions that have involved swimming alongside seals and sea lions, as well as seeing other local wildlife both at the surface and under the water.
“Every couple days we do some swimming on the ocean. We have tried to go in small groups. We went in groups of four or so and kept in sight of other groups for safety,” Gabby said. “The first time we did it, it was my second day here. I was really excited about it. When you are swimming, you always have to lift your head up to know where you are going. There is no black line. You have to use a lot of your body, your head and your eyes to make sure you are going in the right direction.”
And avoiding hazards.
“You can see the reefs. I saw sharks, turtles, sting rays. It is cool to see that in God’s creation out there,” Gabby said. “But as we are swimming, we go toward La Jolla, so we swim to the seals. It takes so much more out of you than an actual workout. You get dehydrated pretty quickly in salt water. It takes a long time with the waves crashing down. Sometimes it is scary because you see a seal and hope it is a seal and not a shark.
“We have been swimming in between La Jolla Shores and the cove. We swam into the cave with (coach) David Marsh on his paddle board. The current sweeps you in and you have to fight it to get out.”
Photo Courtesy: Ali DeLoof
It is a good workout and a good adventure.
The DeLoof sisters quickly learned it takes a different kind of endurance and a different kind of focus to swim in the ocean.
“The first few times I was definitely a little freaked out about it. I don’t like that you can’t see in the water,” Ali said. “It is definitely different. You have to deal with waves and make sure you are going straight. You have to watch out for the surfers and the wildlife. That was the biggest adjustment. One time we saw a seal dive up and down past us. When you start, you have to do the stingray shuffle in the sand so you don’t step on one. At one of the beaches, I felt a sting ray swim over my feet. It was slimy. We did one in the fall and being able to see the sting rays swim under us. It is not like fresh water, you just never know what is going to be there.
“It was harder mentally because I was freaking out being in the ocean. There was a day where the waves were so big that it took forever. We were getting pummeled by waves.”
And trying to steer clear of the seals and sea lions — and hope that is what is swimming around you.
“We were surfing the other day and there was a seal and it kept popping up. It stayed in the same spot and I thought it was a person having trouble swimming until we got closer,” Catie said. “It is one thing to see the animals in the ocean when you are out of it, but it is different when you are in there with them. It is an adventure and an opportunity right now. I will take what I can get.”
It is definitely better than some of their land adventures.
“We started shooting the basketball around together. I would rather do that than run,” Catie said. “It is funny to see each other dribble the ball and try to do land sports. That is how we get our laughs in.”
Team Elite
The move to Marsh’s Team Elite has been different from any other experience the sisters have had during their careers so far.
The DeLoof sisters grew up in a Grosse Pointe, Michigan, a Detroit suburb, and went to college at the University of Michigan, a mere 50 miles away, and continued to swim for Club Wolverine in Ann Arbor before making their moves to San Diego. It started with Ali.
“Being in the sun and swimming outside was big, having a new environment. I went from a college team and needed a change that didn’t feel like still being on the college team. We have a good group with a professional environment with everyone having the same goal of reaching the Olympics,” Gabby said. “Plus on top of that, my sisters were here, which was icing on the cake.”
Gabby DeLoof; Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
For Catie, who made the World University Games alongside Gabby in 2019, she was pleased to have a new environment, but again with the familiarity of her sisters.
“I feel like I am definitely growing as a person and realizing what I want to do when swimming comes to an end and finding ways to build my confidence,” she said. “I am trying to take more time to reflect.”
The 2021 Push
Part of that reflection is realizing what swimming has meant to them throughout their lives — and how exciting 2021 will be for them.
After all three made the Olympic trials four years ago and swam well, they have now all had international experience swimming for Team USA.
Ali was a part of record performances at short course worlds following Rio.
Gabby swam at worlds in 2019 and WUGs, but her banner moment was at 2018 nationals when she finished third behind Katie Ledecky and Allison Schmitt in the 200 free.
“That contending level was really eye opening to me my junior year of college. That was the first time I had placed top eight at NCAAs, and it was with Katie (Ledecky), Simone (Manuel) and Mallory (Comerford). Then I went into 2018 U.S. nationals in Irvine in the 200 free, seeded first — and I realized I could do this. I took third behind Katie Ledecky and Allison Schmitt. In 2018, going into that summer, I was going to keep going if I made the national team and everything kind of aligned. This is a real opportunity and real shot for me.”
Gabby and Catie could definitely contend for Olympic team spots in the events that lead to relays. The right swim could put them in the top six in the 200 free for Gabby and the 100 free for Catie.
Catie DeLoof; Photo Courtesy: Connor Trimble
But for now, Catie is focused on healing to prepare for 2021 after sustaining a pars defect in her spine.
“There was a day where I couldn’t really move my body. I went to get things checked out,” Catie said. “Taking a little break from heavy swimming. I am taking the time to rest and recover in order to be at my full potential for the next season. Some days are better than others. Some days it is so tight that you can’t feel anything. I am hoping it will be. I am not doing too much strenuous activity. I want to take the time to recover and I am looking forward to next season. We didn’t get a real taper meet this season. I think it is giving everyone time to reflect and be ready to give their best.”
The Finish Line
For Ali DeLoof, 2021 will mark the finish line of her career whether that be at the Olympic trials or in Tokyo.
The Olympic postponement has given her career an extra year.
“At the beginning, I was kind of bummed. I didn’t know if I wanted to keep swimming. Now I am feeling a lot better about it. Not many people could just train for an extra year to get better. I am excited to reach my goals,” she said. “The break has been more refreshing mentally.”
Ali had her breakout at the 2016 Olympic trials. She didn’t make the Olympic team, but did make the Team USA for the following year with her fourth place finish, allowing her to earn those record performances at short-course worlds in Windsor, Canada, just across the Detroit River from her hometown in Michigan.
It was a huge statement given the depth in the U.S. in the women’s 100 backstroke over the years. Ali knows that to make the team this time, she will have to be faster than Olympians Olivia Smoliga and Kathleen Baker, as well as U.S. national champion Amy Bilquist and teen sensations Regan Smith, who broke the world record in the event at the 2019 world championships, and Phoebe Bacon. Finishing first or second in that group is not going to be easy.
Ali DeLoof; Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant
But that is the same thing Ali has been saying her entire career swimming against many in that group as well as former USA team members like Missy Franklin, Natalie Coughlin, Rachel Bootsma and Courtney Bartholomew.
“Deep down, I know that I can make it to the final in the 100 backstroke. I was there in 2016 and know I can do it again. It is definitely going to be very tough getting one of the top two spots. There is always fear and doubt that creeps in, but as long as I put in my best effort, I can leave feeling good about it. The U.S. is just so deep in the backstroke,” Ali said. “There is no guarantee that the same people who qualified will do it again.”
Even if Ali makes the team, she will not be attempting to do it again in 2024.
She has a teaching degree and will be ready to move on to that part of her life after 2021.
“I am really excited to start my career as a teacher, so (swimming) will definitely be over after 2021,” she said. I know what I want to do when I am done swimming and my goals outside of the pool are there. I can close one chapter and start a new one.”