With the start of a new year, senior league bowlers in Fond du Lac have not let up on their torrid pace from last year. Some of the higher scores during January include Norb Wetzel’s sizzling 793 series, including games of 289, 279 and 225; Dave King’s astonishing 780 series, which included games of 277, 267 and 236; Roger Behnke’s second 300 game of the season and his grouping together fantastic series of 771, 748 and 733; Jerry Binotto’s 747 series on games of 247, 279 and 221; and Roger Jewson’s excellent 732 series.

Just past the midway point of the senior men’s bowling season there have been two 800’s, 60 700’s, 21 690’s, Behnke’s two 300’s and exciting 299’s rolled by Jerry Riley and Jerry Hintz.

Although these numbers are outstanding for any set of bowling leagues, they are particularly impressive considering the ages of the bowlers who are posting them.

The ages in the senior leagues range from 55 to 94, with the average for both men and women being 74. Still, many of the higher-aged keglers are at the top of the leaderboards.

Lorin Orvis is a prime example of an older fellow beating up on the “youngsters” in the leagues. At age 80, Lorin this season has hammered out series of 729, 707 and 696 along with a high game of 278.

Orvis, who retired in 1994 after 43½ years (he emphasizes the half year) with Wisconsin Power & Light, is averaging an outstanding 200. Mr. Smooth, Orvis makes it look easy as he delivers to the pocket accurate pin- scattering strikes.

Phil Laugenecker, age 94, didn’t start bowling until he was 68. Originally from the Theresa area, Laugenecker, who ran a farm implement business, was too busy working to take time out to bowl.

Now, Laugenecker is the grand pappy of the men’s senior leagues in Fond du Lac. Born in 1915, Phil recalls the tough years of the Great Depression when he considered himself lucky to make $3.50 a week, an amount that would now only cover half of his league’s bowling fee. Already this year Phil has rolled a 522 series and a 201 game.

The “senior” woman senior bowler is Gladys Lamers, who, at 90 years young, carries a very respectful 123 average. Gladys Birschbach at 84 is carrying a remarkable 150 average and has fired a 546 series and a 211 game this season.

Katie Groeschl, 83, has bowled like she skis — with skill and tenacity — and has slammed out an impressive 494 series while averaging 146 at Karl Ray Lanes.

At 80, Donna Klintworth is averaging 140 with a high series of 503 while at age 80 Charlene Ollerman is averaging 144 and shot a 501 series with a 208 game.

The “Queen” of the women senior bowlers is Nancy Tobey. The perennial all-star and powerful kegler, Tobey this season has fired rockets to the pocket producing series of 651, 628, 619, 611 606, 604, 599 and 594 with high games of 236, 235 232, 221 220 and 215 while averaging 190.

Carol Wetzel has also been on a roll with high series of 640, 610 along with games of 245, 241, 225, 223 and 213 while averaging 174.

Sandy Binotto has shot a terrific 625 series and has blasted a high game of 245. Sandy Hanson (wife of Doc) ripped a 604 and has high games of 238, 220 and 216.

Marlene Perry has the two highest games in the women’s senior leagues with games of 254 and 247 while rolling series of 596 and 586.

Other women senior bowlers with nice series and/or games include: Joann Vey, 593 and 580 with games of 229 and 225; Jeanette Messner, 572; Jane Thomas, 567; Shirley Abler, 566; Patti Uttendorfer, 563, 551 along with games of 227 and 222; Marion Roghair, 550 with a 220 game; Marlene Mossong with a 222 game; and Rosie Hernandez with a 215 game.

The Fond du Lac senior bowlers, like vintage wines, just keep improving with age.

— George Kulas can be reached at geokulas@charter.net.