RENO, Nev. - Bo Goergen of Sanford, Mich., has enjoyed a long career at the USBC Open Championships, and he has gotten better with age and experience.

In 2009, his 31st year on the championship lanes, he made his way into the spotlight when he rolled an 862 series, the highest set in tournament history, and claimed the Regular Singles title. A year later, he shared that winning feeling with his teammates as he helped Northern Lanes Pro Shop of Midland, Mich., to the 2010 Team All-Events crown.

So much success meant higher expectations for the 50-year-old right-hander as he entered the 2011 tournament looking to join Les Zikes in the record books with victories in three consecutive years, but even though he didn't find his way back to the winner's circle, he and his teammates had another successful run at the National Bowling Stadium.

For the third straight year, the group is leaving the Open Championships in the top 10 in Regular Team (10th with 3,368), and the defending champions just missed the top 10 in Team All-Events with a 9,847 total. Turbo 2-N-1 Grips 1 of Madison, Wis., leads the team event with 3,473, and K & K Bowling Services 5 of Las Vegas tops the Team All-Events standings with 10,283.

"The expectations were very high this year, especially after the practice sessions and great communication we had while preparing to come out here," said Goergen, who made his 33rd Open Championships appearance. "We feel that we have a team that's capable of shooting the numbers it's going to take to win this year, but we made a few mistakes and left some pins out there. I'm personally disappointed in my own performance, but we'll be back next year to give it another shot."

Canadian star and former collegiate standout at Saginaw Valley State University, Dan MacLelland, battled a foot injury, but led the way for Northern Lanes Pro Shop this year with a 2,102 all-events total. In his six-year Open Championships career, the 26-year-old right-hander has averaged 229.3, but now will say goodbye to the tournament in order to compete as an exempt player on the Lumber Liquidators Professional Bowlers Association Tour.
Derwin Pitre, who owns two perfect games at the Open Championships, added a 2,007 all-events total and was followed by newcomer to the team Andrew Schnebelt (1,957), Goergen (1,929) and left-hander Dale Hofmeister (1,852).

"I'm definitely going to miss the team atmosphere and all of the communication that goes on while you're out there bowling," said MacLelland, who shot 2,166 to lift his team to a 10,284 total and Team All-Events title last year. "This tournament has been around for a long time, and it feels really good to be a part of the history now. The environment here is really special, and I'm going to miss it."

After an exciting 2009 tournament, the group said goodbye to 2009 USBC Masters champion John Nolen, while J.R. Raymond moved on after last year's success. Now, with MacLelland leaving, the team will regroup and move forward as they did this year with Schnebelt.

Next year's tournament in Baton Rouge, La., is a year away, though, so Goergen is going to turn his immediate attention to the PBA Senior Tour, where he hopes to have a big impact, too.

"This has all been such a great experience," Goergen said. "I'm going to try to continue this success out on Tour, and if I'm fortunate enough to win, it will be incredible. But will it match this? Probably not. Some people say the ultimate success is a PBA title, but I disagree. Winning here is so special. I grew up wanting to win an eagle, and now I have two. Nothing can top that."

On the same doubles and singles squad Sunday, Marv Sargent of Temecula, Calif., and Marc Scherlis of Littleton, Colo., made a run at the Regular Doubles lead before settling into third place with a 1,473 total.

Both bowlers entered the final frame on strings of strikes, but still needed a pair of doubles to secure the lead. Scherlis failed to strike on his first offering and finished with a 730 series, while Sargent closed with 743. Brandon Tarabek and Chad Reiffer of Grand Rapids, Mich., lead with 1,497.

Sargent and Scherlis also bowled well in singles, adding 692 and 686, respectively. Sargent had 584 in team for a 2,019 all-events total, while Scherlis shot 570 in team for 1,986. 

Click here for video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.