RENO, Nev. - The members of Nicholas J's Pro Shop 2 of La Crosse, Wis., had to wait four agonizing months to find out if their score was enough to take home the Regular Team crown at the 2012 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, and before they knew it, it already was time to put that title on the line in 2013.

Bowling fans and family members filled the seats at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday, and hundreds more watched live on BowlTV as the Wisconsin youngsters tried to become the first team in history to win back-to-back Regular Team titles.

After starting with games of 1,133 and 1,112, the team's run at a repeat came to an end with a 1,026 finale and 3,271 total, which is good for seventh place. Breakpoint Pro Shop 2 of Sartell, Minn., currently is leading with 3,358.

Trevor Yonan, who fired a perfect game in his tournament debut at the 2011 USBC Open Championships, paced the effort this year with a 698 series and was joined by Andy Mills (685), Nick Heilman (648), Matt Mysliwiec (629) and Greg Pizl (611).

"I think our game plan for the first two games was as good as it could be," said Heilman, the elder of the group at age 30, who made his 10th Open Championships appearance. "We hit the pocket as much as we did last year, but last year we got the breaks when we needed them. This year, the pins didn't fall that way, and that's how it is sometimes. You can't win every year."

Last year, Nicholas J's Pro Shop 2 turned in a nearly flawless 3,401 total, marking in all but eight frames, and topped nearly 12,000 teams for the win.

The past 12 months have been filled with nerves, relief, celebration, admiration, and eventually, preparation, as they turned their focus to all that comes with being the defending champions.

Upon arriving at the NBS, they got to see their championship banner hanging above the lanes and the word champion next to their names on the scoreboard for the first time. They took photos with the Joe Norris Trophy and received their championship watches.

"It was amazing," said Heilman, who led the team with a 769 series in 2012. "It was a super long wait to see if our score would hold up. To get that eagle is a once-in-a-lifetime thing. Hopefully, you can get the luck and get it again sometime, but to win one is amazing. We were beyond ecstatic."

Even with the spotlight and the cameras on them Friday, the teammates blocked out the distractions thanks to the experience they've gained bowling together in college. It also helped that their fellow collegiate bowlers and close friends, the members of Nicholas J's Pro Shop, were there, too.

Nicholas J's Pro Shop finished with a 3,006 total this year, with help from Megan Jirsa (635), Matt Krueger (626), T.J. York (587), Jade Lucas (586) and Rob Warren (572).

"I think we were so engaged and everybody was used to that with being in the college atmosphere that it really didn't change anything," Heilman said. "It's the USBCs. There's going to be nerves, since it's the biggest team tournament of the year. I think we thought it was going to be a little more distracting, but we were able to stay with it and it was business as usual."

Just a few lanes away, Coach's Corner 1 of Lafayette, Colo., also made a run at the Regular Team lead, but settled into 10th place with 3,211. Mike Dias led the way with a 712 series and was followed by Mat Rush (645), Dan Streeter (640), Dan Hurlbut (626) and Alex Dias (588).

Presenting sponsors for the 2013 USBC Open Championships include Circus Circus Reno, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno.