The returning bowlers continued to improve and we worked with them a lot over the summer. Our girls were hungry to learn and that was a nice thing as a coach.”

Eric Widick

ROCHELLE — The Rochelle Lady Hub varsity bowling team didn’t lose any seniors after the 2022-23 season, when the purple and white advanced to the IHSA Sectional as a team. While Rochelle was unable to return to the sectional tournament as a group this winter, the Lady Hubs qualified two individuals and saw two individuals receive Interstate 8 All-Conference recognition.

Rochelle finished with a 10-6 overall record and a 6-4 record in the Interstate 8 this season. The Lady Hubs took fourth in the conference for the season after finishing fifth at the Interstate 8 tournament. Rochelle concluded its season with a fifth-place showing in the IHSA Rockford East Regional, where senior Makenzie Liezert and junior Cassidy Vincent qualified for the IHSA Sycamore Sectional. Liezert is one of four senior starters who are set to depart from the team.

“I thought we did really well this year,” head coach Eric Widick said. “We brought five bowlers back and we had an influx of seven new bowlers, so there was a challenge with teaching the new kids how to bowl and introducing them to bowling competitively. We had a very tough regional and sectional this year and I’m proud of what our girls were able to do this year.”

Among Rochelle’s departing seniors are four-year varsity starter Faith Adams along with three-year varsity starter Anahi Alanis and newcomer Dalila Garcia. The Lady Hubs will have their leading bowler, Vincent, eligible to come back for one more season. Vincent concluded her junior season as a three-time sectional qualifier and three-time First-Team All-Conference bowler in the Interstate 8. Lily Owen will be the lone senior departing from the JV team.

“The girls came together as a team and they were doing all kinds of things to stay together,” Widick said. “The way our new bowlers improved from start to finish, we saw an average of a 20-to-25 pin increase. The returning bowlers continued to improve and we worked with them a lot over the summer. Our girls were hungry to learn and that was a nice thing as a coach.”

Sophomore Kylie McCullough will be another notable contributor eligible to return next year. McCullough is a two-time All-Conference Honorable Mention in the Interstate 8. With Vincent and McCullough leading the charge, Rochelle will look for JV bowlers including freshmen Magaly Belmonte, Ava Norris, Ronnie Anderson and Chloe Rodriguez to take steps forward for next season. Junior Karina Valdez is another JV bowler who could see a larger role next year.

“All of our seniors were contributors so we’ll have to see our JV bowlers step up to fill those roles,” Widick said. “I think Ava can step up into one of those roles and both Magaly and Karina improved a lot this season. Our JV team actually had a better record in the conference than the varsity team did… I’d like us to finish second or third in the conference next season.”