DeBello looks forward to college bowling
HUNTLEY — Huntley senior bowler Erica DeBello will continue her dedication to the sport in college.
Erica DeBello, daughter of head coach Eric DeBello and Trish DeBello, recently committed to attend Wichita State University, (WSU) a D-1 school in Wichita, Kansas.
“I visited the school for my official visit Dec. 15,” Erica DeBello said. “I had seen it before, but it was 10 times better this time. I was also considering Belmont, North Carolina. I know going into next season, I’ll have a lot of work to do to work on in the post-season.”
The Shockers compete in the American Athletic Conference. They earned a top 10 ranking recently.
Coach Eric DeBello commented on the achievement.
“We are proud of Erica for committing to Wichita State,” coach DeBello said. “She is the first ever NCAA signing for the women’s team. They were NAIA last season. Erica attended Wichita’s summer bowling camp the last two years and really liked the feel there. Head coach Holly Harris reached out and we went out there for a few days. The philosophy of assistant coach Mark Lewis and Harris all the way to the bowlers is amazing. They all speak the same message. It is consistent all the way through. Erica also has had her equipment drilled and has been coached by Erick Pawlak who is WSU alumni and won a national title there. Erica has said that it is her dream school. We are excited to see her dreams coming true. She knows that her hard work is beginning to pay off and she has to continue to put the work in to be successful.”
Erica DeBello will study nursing at Wichita State.
“As a dad I can’t wait to watch her on this journey as it’s only just beginning,” Eric DeBello said. “She has the fire and passion for the sport seldom seen. She wants to be a professional bowler. As a coach I hope I had prepared her for this the best I can. I want to prepare the other girls on the team for success in the future as well.”
DeBello finished third at the Sycamore Invitational Jan. 11. She concluded with a pin total of 1,200.
Senior year is going quickly for Erica DeBello and fellow members of this spring’s graduating class with Jana Boudreau, Prianca Waters, and also Isabella Kurash, Hannaah Asemota and Adyson May. Senior night is Jan. 22 against Dundee-Crown at Bowl-Hi Lanes.
Erica DeBello recalled her start at HHS bowling.
“I remember freshman year there were a couple of seniors who really helped,” she said.
Huntley is 10-0 in dual matches, but it hasn’t been easy, coach DeBello said.
“It’s been kind of hard,” the coach said. “The girls all pick each other up, though. Waters is like an assistant coach how she helps the younger bowlers. We have three seniors, Kurash, Asemota and May, who just came out for the team this year. They’ve been getting better since the start of the season.”
Coach DeBello said Marengo and Woodstock co-op are the biggest Fox Valley – Kishwaukee River Conference foes, with a big dual against the Blue Streaks Jan. 23 at Bowl-Hi. After the conference tournament, the IHSA post-season begins with regional competition Jan. 31 at Hampshire.
The DeBellos are one of three bowling families at Huntley High School this season. Prianca Waters, a senior, is the older sister of sophomore Noah Waters and sophomore Ashlyn Tenglin’s older brother is senior Austin Tenglin.
Recent matches
The Red Raiders finished second in the 13-team Sycamore Invitational Jan. 11. In addition to Erica DeBello’s third place finish, ending in the top 20 were Mackenzie Miller, 14th with a 1,141 total and Waters, 17th, at 1,123. Ashlyn Tenglin was 22nd, 1,031. Huntley’s team total was 5,433 pins, behind Oswego East and Oswego High School.
