Hellertown woman ‘wowed’ by wrestling
By: Mary Caruso
Many septuagenarians look forward to their golden years with a sense of stillness. It’s a time of sitting back and relaxing, reaping the benefits of years of labor in the employment arena – calm, quiet, peaceful.
Yet, one over-70 woman in Hellertown spends her time in the rowdy, noisy, sweaty atmosphere of Saucon Valley’s high school gym.
Lorraine Bowers, more affectionately known as “the old lady in the first row, “has spent 38 years routing for the Panthers.
At a recent party, honoring her 75th birthday on Aug. 16, Bowers was the one receiving cheers from a roomful of family and friends who had gathered to wish her well.
Although the party was decorated and centered around her guests’ love of NASCAR racing, Bowers admitted to her love of high school wrestling.
“My brother wrestled at Saucon Valley in 1966, “Bowers said, “and I found I liked watching the sport. ”
Since then, she has become an ardent fan of the valley’s high school wrestlers.
As her presence became more frequent, and her encouragement more intense, Bowers became a personal friend to many of the wrestlers.
Now deemed an adopted “mom “of the team, one of the students dared her to get a tattoo affirming her allegiance to the sport.
Bowers was thinking of something “mom-ish “when one of the students noted that “mom “upside-down would indicate a “world of wrestling “insignia. Bowers liked the idea, and later added a small heart in the middle of the “o.”
“I have a heart on for life, “Bowers said.
Bowers, who also struggles with breast cancer, said her hobby enables her to “still laugh, still have fun.”
Her monthly treatments of chemotherapy don’t seem to slow her down at all.
She attends graduation parties, and sends cards to all the wrestlers whom she has endeared.
“I’ve been to more than two dozen parties already, “Bowers said, and her line-up was not yet completed.
She also collects small mementos to remind her of significant nicknames.
“I have a bear for the Gridas – Eric and Steven, and just found a “bull “bowl for Brandon Boyer.”
She carries her trinkets to each match, and always sits in the front row, seat 13.
“It’s a number that has always been lucky for me, “Bowers said.
Apparently, it’s been lucky for the Panthers as well, having helped them win last season’s Colonial League title and becoming the first undefeated team since 1962.
Mary Caruso is a reporter for The Saucon News. She can be reached at [email protected].
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