Ali DeLoof Produces 55.89 SCM 100 Back, 2nd Fastest American In History

2021 INTERNATIONAL SWIMMING LEAGUE – SEASON 3, MATCH 5

• Thursday, September 9 – Friday, September 10
• 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm EST (8:00 pm – 10:00 pm Local Time)
• Piscina Felice Scandone, Naples, Italy
• Short Course Meters (25m – SCM) Format
• ISL Season 3 Schedules, Start Times, & More
• Teams Competing: LA Current, Iron, Toronto Titans, DC Trident
• Match 5 Preview
• Omega Live Results
• Day 1 Live Recap

During the women’s 100 backstroke at Match 5 of ISL 2021, DC Trident’s Ali DeLoof threw down a 55.89 short course 100 backstroke which makes her the 2nd-fastest American in the event in history.

Her swim is now 2nd only to Olivia Smoliga who swam a 55.04 American record in the 100 backstroke at the ISL 2020 season finale for the Cali Condors. DeLoof’s swim surpasses formerly 2nd-ranked swimmer Kathleen Baker who holds a PB of 55.91 from the FINA Swimming World Cup in 2018.

DeLoof broke 56 seconds for the first time ever on day 1 of Match 5 when she swam a 55.99 to lead off the DC Trident’s women’s 4×100 medley relay. Prior to that swim, DeLoof held a 56.04 as her PB from earlier this season at Match 4.

DeLoof is now one of 5 American women in history to have broken 56 seconds in the short course 100 backstroke in addition to Smoliga, Baker, Courtney Bartholomew, and Natalie Coughlin. Smoliga holds a considerable lead over all those behind her with her 55.04 American record in the event and actually holds the top 6 fastest times in American history.

Top 10 Performers (USA) – Women’s SCM 100 Backstroke

1. Olivia Smoliga – 55.04 (2020)
2. Ali DeLoof – 55.89 (2021)
3. Kathleen Baker – 55.91 (2018)
4. Courtney Bartholomew – 55.92 (2015)
5. Natalie Coughlin – 55.97 (2011)
6. Beata Nelson – 56.12 (2021)
7. Regan Smith – 56.33 (2017)
8. Claire Adams – 56.45 (2015)
9. Amy Bilquist – 56.59 (2019)
10. Missy Franklin – 56.73 (2011)

Top 10 Performances (USA) – Women’s SCM 100 Backstroke

1. Olivia Smoliga – 55.04 (2020)
2. Olivia Smoliga – 55.47 (2018)
3. Olivia Smoliga – 55.60 (2020)
4. Olivia Smoliga – 55.62 (2020)
5. Olivia Smoliga – 55.66 (2020)
6. Olivia Smoliga – 55.86 (2018)
7. Ali DeLoof – 55.89 (2021)
8. Kathleen Baker – 55.91 (2018)
9. Olivia Smoliga / Courtney Bartholomew– 55.04 (2020/2015)

Despite the fact that DeLoof’s swim for DC made her the 2nd-fastest American ever, she wasn’t quick enough to beat LA Current’s Ingrid Wilm who touched with a 56.68 to win the event. Wilm’s swim not only supplied her with a 19-point haul for LA but also marked a new Canadian record, improving upon her own 55.94 NR from earlier this season.

Along with her 100 backstroke prowess at Match 5, DeLoof delivered a win in the 50 backstroke on day 1 of the meet with a time of 25.98. That swim made her the 10th-fastest swimmer in history and the 2nd-fastest American behind Olivia Smoliga‘s 25.74.

DeLoof is on her 3rd team in as many seasons in the ISL, having raced with the New York Breakers in season 1 and Tokyo Frog Kings in season 2. She scored 18.5 and 59 individual points in those two seasons, respectively, but has already almost scored as many as season 2 already this year. She entered the meet with 39 points from individual events, and has added 18 more so far in Match #5 for a total of 57 already.

DeLoof made the switch in August of 2020 to join the post-graduate training group at the University of Tennessee after having previously coached under David Marsh. While that didn’t result in any best times at the US Olympic Trials in June (she placed 10th in the semifinals in 1:00.4 and has a best of 59.4 from 2007), it seems to be paying off for her during the ISL season. She’s not the only Tennessee post-grad who we’ve seen have an ISL breakthrough: Maddy Banic of Energy Standard was one of the true breakthrough performers of Season 2 in 2020.