The Fond du Lac senior bowling league’s have completed another banner season. Highlighting the 2009/2010 men’s season was Larry Secord, who at age 75, set a Fond du Lac Bowling Association (FBA) senior league record series of 859 on games of 300, 279 and 280. Secord’s gem was also the highest series rolled by any bowler in the FBA this past season and one of the top scores in the nation by a United States Bowling Congress (USBC) sanctioned senior bowler.

The coveted 800 mark was also reached by Don Halbach who blasted an 801 series on games of 256, 279 and 266. In addition to Secord’s 300 game perfection was achieved by Roger Behnke who rifled two 300’s. Marv Korb and Paul Tetzlaff hammered two more outstanding 300 games. Just missing perfection were Jerry Hintz, John Klement and Jerry Riley with exciting 299 games and Robert Asencio with a 296. Other excellent high games were rolled by Joe Schroeder 289, Norb Wetzel 289, Ben Bengel 288 and Roger Jewson 287.

There were many other huge scores shot during the season in addition to the two 800’s and five 300’s. One hundred-nine 700’s were rolled including eleven by Roger Behnke (high 771); nine by Norb Wetzel (high 793); nine by Jerry Hintz (high 750); eight by Chuck Schuette (high 752); seven by Denny Schabel (high 776); seven by Roger Jewson (high 746) and seven by Don Halbach (high 730). Other bowlers who had multiple 700’s and also broke thru the 750 mark were: Dave King with 780, Larry Secord with 763 and Ralph Kleinhans with 752. Lorin Orvis, who at 80 years young, kept rolling along pounding out series of 729, 707 and 696 along with a 278 game, consistently beating up on his “youngster” competitors in the senior leagues.

The high average in the Monday Pizzaville Senior Men’s League at Ledgeview Lanes went to Chuck Schuette with a 212 followed closely by Denny Schabel, who charged in the final weeks to nearly loft himself into the lead. Jerry Binotto was also just short of taking the lead. Both Schabel and Binotto both had 212 averages but came up a few hundredths of a point short to the mathematician and bowling magician, Schuette. League champions, who cuffed and stuffed their competition were, “A Cop and the Mobsters”, composed of Roger Behnke (the cop), Joe Ciofani, Ray Gulbrand, Bill Ryan, and John Klement.

The high average in the Wednesday Personal Touch/Pizzaville Senior Men’s League was a gripping 217 achieved by Larry Secord. League champions were “Poo and the Gang” composed of Ralph Kleinhans (Poo), Doc Hanson, John Kryzanowski and Dennis Lautenschlager.

The Tuesday Boda’s Senior Mixed League at Ledgeveiw Lanes high average bowler for the men was Norb Wetzel with an impressive 223 average. The high woman bowler was Nancy Tobey who carried a 190 average. For the third year in row the league champions were the “Gabes and Wags” team composed of Leo and Frieda Goebel and Jerry and Genny Wagner.

Other senior leagues reporting included the Karl Ray Lanes Friday Senior Mixed League whose most improved female bowler was league secretary extraordinaire Judy Ciofani. Judy’s hubby, Joe, (the Italian Stallion), was the most improved bowler for the men and also was the high male bowler with an average of 199. The high woman bowler was Nancy Tobey with a 182 average. The “Gabes and Wags” team displayed endurance, versatility and perseverance as they continued to roll along to also be crowned champions of this league.

The women senior bowlers posted some excellent scores during the season as well. Nineteen 600’s were cranked out including Jackie Luedke’s women’s high series of 664 which included the high game of 269. Other women bowlers who rolled 600 series’ included: Nancy Tobey with nine (high 660 ; Marlene Perry 654, 639; Carol Wetzel 640, 610, 601; Sandy Binotto 626, 625, 612 and Sandy Hanson 604.

Have a great summer!

George S. Kulas