2016 USBC Open Championships Underway in Reno

The Biggest Little City in the World has hosted the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships more than any other city, and the tournament's latest visit to Reno has kicked off with a mix of tradition and flair.

The National Bowling Stadium opened its doors to the USBC Open Championships for the 10th time, marking the event's record 13th trip to Reno, and the first of nearly 8,000 five-player teams made the ceremonial march down Center Aisle.

Led by Joe Bowler, a tradition that began in 1951, hundreds of bowlers, fans, friends, family and dignitaries helped usher in the 2016 tournament, which will run for 129 days, concluding July 11.

The Opening-Day festivities included a ribbon-cutting, traditional Mass Ball Shot Ceremony and live entertainment from the cast of "Footloose," a musical based on the Oscar-nominated film, playing at the Eldorado Theatre until April 17.

In his formal responsibility as Joe Bowler, after a warm-up shot, 58-year-old left-hander John Matarazza of nearby Fallon, Nevada, delivered a Brooklyn strike to officially start the tournament.

The opportunity was one Matarazza hoped for in planning to bowl on the tournament's opening squad, and it's one he'll never forget.

"It was great, really awesome," said Matarazza, who made his 13th consecutive Open Championships appearance and second on opening night. "There were a lot of nerves, especially after the gutter ball, but I redeemed myself by knocking them all down on the next shot. My buddy kept telling me all week I was going to be the one named Joe Bowler. I didn't think it would happen because I'm local, from not too far away."
 
On the lanes, River Rats of Winona, Minnesota, set the bar in Regular Team with a 2,818 total. The group was led by Mark Walters, whose 623 series helped the team to games of 882, 1,038 and 898. He was followed by John Glowczewski (600), Jeff Hubbard (563), Benjamin Witt (541) and Greg Fakler (491).

"It's great to be on the leaderboard, no matter what day of the tournament it is," Walters said. "We typically bowl opening weekend because it's usually cold in Minnesota, and the tournament gives us a chance to go somewhere warmer. We've been bowling together for 20 years, and we really come to have fun."

In the Classified Division, We Are Family of Orange, California, grabbed the lead with a 2,413 effort. Dennis Moore contributed a 523 series and was joined by Tim Perry (520), Paul Wilborn (488), Jon Stuemke Sr. (458) and David Moore (424).

Competition resumes Sunday morning with the first doubles and singles squad of the year and will run daily from 9 a.m. until approximately 1 a.m. through July 11.

This year, the National Bowling Stadium also is home to the Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC and The Forty Frame Game.

The Bowlers Journal Championships and team practice sessions will take place on the Showcase Lanes, located next to the main tournament lanes on the fourth floor of the NBS. The Forty Frame Game is being contested in the Kingpin Club on the venue's ground floor.

For more information on the Open Championships, visit BOWL.com/OpenChamp.

Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open/Women's Championships page.

United States Bowling Congress: The United States Bowling Congress serves as the national governing body of bowling as recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USBC conducts championship events nationwide including the largest participation sporting events in the world - the USBC Open and Women's Championships - and professional events such as the USBC Masters and USBC Queens.  
 
Founded in 1895, today USBC and its 2,500 state and local associations proudly serve more than a million members. USBC is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, working toward a future for the sport. The online home for USBC is BOWL.com.

2016 USBC OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
National Bowling Stadium, Reno, Nev.

(Top 10 division leaders with hometown and pinfall)

REGULAR DIVISION

Team
1, River Rats (Mark Walters, Jeff Hubbard, John Glowczewski, Benjamin Witt, Greg Fakler), Winona, Minn., 2,818. 2, Surgically Repaired, Gurnee, Ill., 2,610. 3, Zips Lounge 1, Morrow, Ohio, 2,552. 4, Keeney 2, Casey, Ill., 2,510. 5, An X is an X, Gurnee, Ill., 2,460. 6, Waddell and Reed, Arlington, Texas, 2,445. 7, Turner and Associates, Powell, Ohio, 2,428. 8, Sorcerers 3, San Antonio, 2,407. 9, BJs, Janesville, Wis., 2,397. 10, Sorcerers 2, San Antonio, 2,390.

CLASSIFIED DIVISION

Team
1, We Are Family (David Moore, Paul Wilborn, Tim Perry, Dennis Moore, Jon Stuemke Sr.), Orange, Calif., 2,413. 2, Hoegemeyer, Shelton, Neb., 2,351. 3, Wolf Pack, St. Paul, Ore., 2,296. 4, Sorcerers 4, San Antonio, 2,281. 5, Sorcerers 1, San Antonio, 2,271. 6, Ernest Irrigation, St. Paul, Ore., 2,180. 7, Why So Serious, Colorado Springs, Colo., 2,139. 8, CM Hell Raisers, Aransas Pass, Texas, 2,136. 9, The Double F Crew, Fallon, Nev., 2,022.