Deb Weno graduated from Regina High School in Iowa City, Iowa in 1984. A two-sport prep star, Weno received All-America honors in softball and all-conference recognition in basketball. Weno came to Truman and stepped right in as a key contributor on a solid Bulldog softball team. In 1985, the team won the MIAA tournament and went all the way to the Midwest Regional final of the NCAA Division II tournament. Weno was named MIAA freshman of the year and second-team all-MIAA for her efforts as a pitcher and at third base. On the mound, she posted a 10-8 record over 129 innings, an 0.98 ERA, 69 strikeouts and only 18 bases on balls. At the plate, she hit .276 with 1 home run and 13 RBIs. Weno avoided the sophomore jinx in 1986, receiving second-team all-MIAA honors again. The Bulldogs posted an outstanding 34-14 record, repeated as MIAA champions, and advanced to the Final Four in Division II by winning the Central Region tournament. Weno went 6-4 with an 0.63 ERA and four shutouts on the hill. She also enjoyed another solid season at the dish, hitting .319 with 18 RBIs and four doubles in her second year. Weno's junior campaign was marked by her teamwork with fellow Bulldog hurler Tami Billerbeck. No other 'Dog took the hill in 1987, as Weno and Billerbeck combined to rank third in the nation with an ERA of 0.91. Weno went 12-8 over 143 innings, seven shutouts, 74 strikeouts and only 10 bases on balls. At the plate Weno hit .266 with three home runs and 22 RBIs. She was named to the all-MIAA first team as a utility player. The 1988 campaign would be a storybook final chapter for Weno. The only senior on the squad, she helped lead the Bulldogs all the way to the NCAA Division II Final Four with a mark of 35-14, breaking the record for most victories in one season. For her efforts, Weno received the highest of accolades with placement on the All-America First Team for Division II. She was also named to the All-Central Region first team, the Division II South Regional all-tournament team, first-team all-MIAA, and most valuable player of the MIAA. It was also Weno's finest season statistically in a Bulldog uniform. On the mound, she posted a 17-9 mark over 177 innings, an 0.87 ERA, nine shutouts, 95 strikeouts and only 14 bases on balls. She also batted .304 with three home runs, nine doubles and 27 RBIs, all team-leading marks. Weno also produced a sparkling fielding percentage of .971 at third base. Deb Weno's legacy is still prominent in Bulldog softball, as she still holds several school records. Weno has the record for most career games played with 173, most career RBI's with 80, most career innnings pitched with 526 2/3, most career starts on the mound with 74, most career complete games with 71 and most career saves with four. Weno also lettered in two season for the Bulldog women's basketball team. As a freshman, Weno played in 22 games, averaging 3.4 rebounds and 2.3 points per game. She appeared in 25 games as a sophomore and averaged 3.3 points per contest.
