ZELIENOPLE — When it comes to bowling, Mike Shenesky has been there, done that.

The 69-year-old Zelienople resident has participated in the Pennsylvania State Bowling Association Tournament for 45 consecutive years. He’s bowled in the prestigious Petersen Classic in Chicago for 53 straight years.

He is a 14-time champion in various events of the PSBA Senior Tournament, has rolled eight perfect games, was president of the PSBA in 1984-85 and is presently treasurer of the Beaver Valley Bowling Association.

“I’ve just always been involved in the sport,” Shenesky said.

One thing he hasn’t done in the sport is win a national title.

Shenesky finished second at the National Seniors Championship held in Reno, Nev., in 2005. He competed in the 55-59 age division.

Eleven years later, he has another shot.

Shenesky won the PSBA seniors Tournament in the 65-69 age group last October in Reading. That qualified him to return to the National Seniors Championship next month in Las Vegas.

“You have to win your state tournament to bowl in this event,” Shenesky said. “There is a state champion in each age group.

“I like my chances this time around. I’ve been practicing in different houses, trying to prepare for different shots. You never know what type of shot they’re going to put down.”

Shenesky has primarily been practicing at Sims Lanes in Beaver Falls, Family Bowlaway in Butler and at the Meadows Casino lanes in Washington County.

“I’ve been bowling somewhere three days a week to get ready for this,” he said.

Shenesky rolled a 667 series in team competition at the PSBA Seniors Tournament last fall. He rolled a 684 in doubles and a 756 in singles. His high game was a 279.

Shenesky is carrying a 207 average.

“That was a pretty good weekend I had out there,” he admitted.

The Senior Nationals run Aug. 9-11. Bowlers will spend the first two days bowling three-game sets. The top 10 qualifiers will return to roll another three-game set on the third day.

“I know how stiff the competition is going to be,” Shenesky said. “You just have to rise to the occasion in an event like that.”

The Petersen Classic has thousands of entrants each year. Shenesky has placed among the top 100 in that event eight times, finishing as high as sixth.

He ran the pro shop at Sims Lanes — where he bowls in a league once a week and subs in another — for nearly 30 years before leaving that post.

Shenesky is a former Butler school teacher who retired as guidance counselor for Butler County Vo-Tech after a 33-year career.