Some things get better with age. Sue Hartley’s bowling game may well be one of them.

Hartley, 55, is one of five women being recognized for success on the lanes as members of the Ohio United States Bowling Congress Women’s Bowling Association All-Star Team. Fellow Dayton bowler Angie Trego was named to the team for the second consecutive year.

The state all-star team is determined by a point system. Applicants receive points for their high average, game and series. They also accumulate points for state, local and other USBC certified tournaments.

“I got a little choked up when I received the letter,” Hartley said. “Even after all these years, it’s still a thrill for me to win something.”

The Englewood bowler has been on the lanes since she was 19, competing as many as six or seven nights a week during some seasons.

“Back then, there were two shifts a night and, sometimes, a waiting list to get in,” she said.

According to Hartley, it’s the love of the sport that has kept her on the lanes for close to four decades and the fact that she loves spending time with her husband, Tim, and daughter, Andrea, both avid bowlers.

“My daughter is so energetic and so excited when she bowls, it’s just a thrill to bowl with her,” Hartley said.

Hartley experienced the thrill of winning throughout the 2011-12 season as she and partner Lauren Paige won the state doubles actual title. Hartley won the Springfield Queens Tournament, the Greater Dayton USBC Officers Tournament and the Champion of Champions Tournament. Her team won the city men’s senior championship; she and her husband placed second in doubles and Hartley was third in all-events.

“I had a pretty good year,” she said, smiling. “But, I’m telling you, this town makes everyone a better bowler because you are bowling with and against the best bowlers around.”

And, as Trego found out this year, the bowlers are wonderful off the lanes as well.

Trego lost her son during the 20th week of her pregnancy in March.

“It was rough to get back out there but all of the support from the bowling community was just unbelievable,” she said. “It’s amazing to me how close you can be to people you only see once a week at bowling.”

Trego, 31, had a solid season with two 300 games and two 800 series, with an 823 high series. The Huber Heights resident placed second in the state tournament in both the doubles and team actual events and was third in all-events.

“Being a state all-star is definitely something I take a lot of pride in because there is a lot of talent here,” Trego said. “And it was even more emotional for me to make it this year.”