RENO, Nev. - For the last three years, Janzs H I of Beaver Dam, Wis., has consistently finished in the top 60 in the Regular Team standings at the USBC Open Championships.

This year, the group cruised into the top spot on the leaderboard with games of 1,109, 1,245 and 1,053 for a 3,407 total, the second-highest in the tournament's seven visits to the National Bowling Stadium. Strike Synergy of Honeoye Falls, N.Y., previously held the lead with 3,254.

Janzs H I was led by Andy Bunkoske, who rolled games of 255, 258 and 194 for a 707 series, the first 700 of his six-year Open Championships career. The 33-year-old right-hander has been waiting for a moment like this his entire bowling career.

"This is unbelievable," said Bunkoske, who bowls league at Tower Lanes in Beaver Dam. "I've been bowling now for 30 something years, and it has always been my dream to take the lead at a major tournament like this. Words can't really describe it right now. We wanted to make sure we picked up all our spares and hopefully catch a double and a few breaks here and there. We were hoping to capitalize on everything we could."

Heading into the third game Thursday, the group was on pace to surpass the 3,500 mark, which has only been reached by two teams in tournament history, Bruegger's Bagels of Albany, N.Y. (3,537 in 1993) and Team 8 Ball of Medford, Ore., (3,513 in 2000).

But with the record books in sight, the pressure may have been a small factor.

"I think there was some pressure," said Tim Janz, who made his 13th Open Championships appearance. "The first game, we had a few guys struggling a little bit, and I just told everybody to take it one shot at a time. The lanes opened up perfectly for us in the second game. We got to the third game, and I told everybody we had to stay calm, take it one shot at a time, make our spares and we'll go from there. And everything worked out for the best."

Getting the cue from Bunkoske, Tim Damerow fired a 704 series and was followed by Janz (693), Randy Hupf (658) and Joe Janz (645).

While the teammates have been bowling together at the Open Championships for just four years, they've been friends for quite some time. On the championships lanes, they've  shot 3,159 in 2010 (60th), 3,195 in 2009 (24th) and 3,174 in 2008 (30th). This year's effort ranks as the highlight of their careers.

"We've been bowling together as a team now for four years," said Tim Janz, who is a self-employed carpenter. "This is what we look for every year, and we come here to do the best we can. We've been pretty successful as a group, and this is our greatest accomplishment as a team. Last year, we struggled a little bit and finished 60th. This year is unbelievable. It's the best feeling I've ever had. We've had good feelings before, but this is by far the best."

Janz H I is looking to become the third consecutive team from Wisconsin to win the Regular Team title. Linds Limited of Milwaukee took home the crown in 2009 with a 3,449 effort, and Bowlers Edge Pro Shop of Neenah, Wis., kept the title in the Cheese State with a 3,408 total in 2010, this highest team score ever posted at the Stadium.

Team bowling is what drives this Janz H 1, and receiving a congratulatory phone call in July would be the ultimate honor.

"It's great bowling as a team," said Bunkoske, who works for the City of Beaver Dam. "Team bowling is the best. There's no better feeling then when everybody's scoring and there are high fives and everybody's cheering. That's the best feeling in the world. There is nothing like team bowling. If that call does come some day, whether it's this year, or whenever, there is going to be a big party for sure."

The group did not crack the top 10 in Team All-Events, which is led by DAPP Embroidery of Grand Prairie, Texas, with 9,911.