DeBello’s spark paces Huntley girls bowling
HUNTLEY — Erica DeBello’s standout season keeps on adding to its resume, as she notched a fourth place finish at Belvidere’s invitational. DeBello ended with 530 and 642 series scores for a tournament total of 1,172 pins.
Though a sophomore, DeBello is the Red Raiders most experienced bowler. She is also the team’s leader in several ways, head coach Asheley Boudreau said.
“DeBello drives her team,” Boudreau said. “She gets along with her teammates and starts the cheers when her fellow bowlers are up to bowl. She keeps the energy high, and loud.”
The Red Raiders will compete at the IHSA Girls Bowling Regional at 9 a.m. Feb. 4 at Glo Bowl Lanes in Marengo. Team members said they are hopeful for sectional advancement to the Dundee-Crown Sectional at Liberty Lanes in Carpentersville Feb. 11.
Head coach Asheley Boudreau is happy with DeBello’s season and team contributions,
“DeBello is a consistent bowler,” the coach said. “She takes pride in her bowling and holds herself accountable when she bowls. She cares a lot about her performance and even more for her team. She has grown how she reacts to get ‘not so great throws’ and she has come a long way. When she is up to bowl, those around her stop and watch. She definitely has the ‘it factor.”
DeBello, daughter of Eric and Trish DeBello, answered survey questions for My Huntley News, after a win over Jacobs to close the home regular season Jan. 30.
Describe your earliest years in bowling, what attracted you to the sport and your earliest mentors?
Erica DeBello: “I got attracted to the sport because my dad (Erick) put it in and started me from a very young age.”
Thoughts on your season highlights this year?
DeBello: “I thought the season went really well for myself and the team. We accomplished some great team scores. One thing that could be different is how I react mentally when things go wrong in the lanes.”
What are some of the skill areas you really wanted to improve on this year?
DeBello: “I have been working on my mental game for so long. It’s something that is my biggest downfall as a bowler.”
What are your and your team’s goals for the post-season?
DeBello: “My goals for the post-season is to get better with my spare game.”
Any interesting hobbies outside of bowling?
DeBello: “I like to color and draw.”
Top bowlers and the skills you admire?
DeBello: “I admire Shannon O’Keefe. She is a pro and she is unbelievable. I also admire Diandra Atsbaty. She is also a pro and preaches your mental game, she does classes and coaches for it.”
What would your reaction be if you achieved a 300 perfect game?
DeBello: “If I ever were to shoot a 300, I’d probably cry and go up to my dad and say, ‘I finally did it.'”
Grandparents John and Mary and dad Eric are all league bowlers.
“We’re just a bowling family,” John said. “I bowl in a league in Roselle and average about 170. Bowling isn’t a spectator sport for us.”
Senior night
Class of 2023 members Taylor Dulson, Grace Lehmann, Jessica Roberts and Lindsey Donlea bid farewell to Bowl-Hi Lanes competition Jan. 30. The squad downed Jacobs, 2,352 to 2,152 pins.
