Alabama bowler takes Classified lead at 2026 USBC Open Championships
June 27, 2026
RENO, Nev. – Michael Cagle of Huntsville, Alabama, put together the best tournament performance of his 19-year career at the United States Bowling Congress Open Championships this week, taking over the lead in Classified All-Events at the National Bowling Stadium.
Cagle opened with a 578 series in team before adding 658 in doubles and 581 in singles to finish with a total of 1,817. Alan Haugen of St. Paul Park, Minnesota, had held the lead since March 28 with 1,770.
While the accomplishment marked his first 1,800 at the USBC Open Championships, Cagle said the performance carried a greater meaning because of who the team was bowling for this year.
“This year was really a dedication to Roger Kaczmarowski,” Cagle said. “We lost Roger, and it felt like he was here with us. It gave us that little extra to do well.”
Kaczmarowski, a longtime member of the group who competed at the Open Championships for more than three decades, left a lasting impact on the team long before his passing.
To prepare for this year’s tournament, Cagle and his teammates took a unique approach. They practiced on lane conditions modeled after patterns they had encountered during the past decade at the Open Championships.
“We practiced on shots from the last 10 years,” Cagle said. “We didn’t know exactly what we’d see this year, but we wanted to be prepared for anything. I think it helped.”
Cagle’s strongest event this year came in doubles, where he rolled games of 210, 210 and 238 to position himself for a run at the all-events lead.
Despite putting himself in contention, he admitted he never really knew where he stood entering singles.
“My brother, James, knew more than I did,” said Cagle, with a laugh. “He wouldn’t tell me what I needed.”
Instead, Cagle leaned on the advice of his doubles partner, Amy Cutter, who kept his focus where it needed to be. Cagle and Cutter currently sit in sixth place for Classified Doubles with 1,151.
“She just told me, ‘Be yourself, let your body take over and do what you’ve been doing,’” Cagle said. “That really helped.”
Now, with his score sitting at the top of the leaderboard, Cagle will wait and see if it will hold through the tournament’s final weeks.
If it does, he already knows who will receive the first phone call.
“My brother will be the first person I call,” Cagle said. “Then, who knows? There might be a big family celebration.”
The timing would make the accomplishment even more memorable. Later this summer, James is scheduled to be inducted into his local bowling association’s hall of fame.
“It would just make everything that much more special,” Cagle said. “It’s a great feeling.”
The Classified Division features bowlers with entering averages of 160 and below.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Cagle opened with a 578 series in team before adding 658 in doubles and 581 in singles to finish with a total of 1,817. Alan Haugen of St. Paul Park, Minnesota, had held the lead since March 28 with 1,770.
While the accomplishment marked his first 1,800 at the USBC Open Championships, Cagle said the performance carried a greater meaning because of who the team was bowling for this year.
“This year was really a dedication to Roger Kaczmarowski,” Cagle said. “We lost Roger, and it felt like he was here with us. It gave us that little extra to do well.”
Kaczmarowski, a longtime member of the group who competed at the Open Championships for more than three decades, left a lasting impact on the team long before his passing.
To prepare for this year’s tournament, Cagle and his teammates took a unique approach. They practiced on lane conditions modeled after patterns they had encountered during the past decade at the Open Championships.
“We practiced on shots from the last 10 years,” Cagle said. “We didn’t know exactly what we’d see this year, but we wanted to be prepared for anything. I think it helped.”
Cagle’s strongest event this year came in doubles, where he rolled games of 210, 210 and 238 to position himself for a run at the all-events lead.
Despite putting himself in contention, he admitted he never really knew where he stood entering singles.
“My brother, James, knew more than I did,” said Cagle, with a laugh. “He wouldn’t tell me what I needed.”
Instead, Cagle leaned on the advice of his doubles partner, Amy Cutter, who kept his focus where it needed to be. Cagle and Cutter currently sit in sixth place for Classified Doubles with 1,151.
“She just told me, ‘Be yourself, let your body take over and do what you’ve been doing,’” Cagle said. “That really helped.”
Now, with his score sitting at the top of the leaderboard, Cagle will wait and see if it will hold through the tournament’s final weeks.
If it does, he already knows who will receive the first phone call.
“My brother will be the first person I call,” Cagle said. “Then, who knows? There might be a big family celebration.”
The timing would make the accomplishment even more memorable. Later this summer, James is scheduled to be inducted into his local bowling association’s hall of fame.
“It would just make everything that much more special,” Cagle said. “It’s a great feeling.”
The Classified Division features bowlers with entering averages of 160 and below.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.