RENO, Nev. - In two previous appearances at the USBC Open Championships, Anthony Pepe of East Elmhurst, N.Y., averaged more than 30 pins higher in singles than he did in doubles or team.

This year, the 23-year-old left-hander decided to spread the wealth and bring his doubles partner along for a trip into the top five in Regular Doubles at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday.

Pepe struck 29 times on the way to games of 247, 248 and 300 for a career-best 795 series, while Alex Cavagnaro of Lindenhurst, N.Y., added a 687 set for a 1,482 total and third place overall. Brandon Tarabek and Chad Reiffer of Grand Rapids, Mich., lead with 1,497.

After rolling the 49th perfect game of the 2011 Open Championships, Pepe stepped off the approach feeling like the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

"On the final shot, I was really nervous," said Pepe, who recently won his second Professional Bowlers Association regional title for a boost of confidence. "I told myself I really needed to get the last one. Once I saw all 10 go down, it felt like a big weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. When you achieve something like this, in this type of environment, there are no words to describe the feeling."

Pepe is an up-and-coming southpaw, who already has several big tournament wins to his credit. Along with last weekend's win at the PBA East Region Howell Lanes Open, he and Cavagnaro won the 2010 PBA East Region King Pin Member/Guest Doubles title. Outside of PBA competition, Pepe also captured the World's Best Bowlers Corporation Mixed Singles Men's Classic in 2010.

Though it still is early in his own career, Pepe is experienced enough to know the history of the Open Championships and acknowledges the great bowlers who have come before him, many of whom he now will join in the record books.

"It's amazing," said Pepe, who added 672 in team and 651 in singles for a 2,118 all-events total. "Being mentioned with a lot of big names in this tournament is an honor. I feel like I belong here. I work hard on my game, and it's showing."

In his first two trips to the Open Championships, Pepe averaged a blistering 237.8 in singles and just 206.5 and 202.7 in doubles and team, respectively.

"I come here to not only compete, but have fun with my friends," Pepe said. "My friends are very important to me. They mean a lot, and I couldn't have asked for a better moment to have them here. It was nice to share it with them."

Later on Friday night, George Palumbo of Henderson, Nev., was shooting for his own place in Open Championships history but ultimately settled for the 23rd 299 game of the year.

The 30-year-old right-hander started his 10th Open Championships campaign with a 245 game and then fired 11 consecutive strikes before a 10 pin left him with 299. He closed with 218 for a 762 series and helped Storm of Fort Wayne, Ind., to a 3,217 team total. Turbo 2-N-1 Grips of Madison, Wis., leads Regular Team with 3,473.

Although Palumbo fell just short of the 50th 300 of the year, he gladly will take a 299 at the Open Championships.

"It's kind of a dream when you come to the Open Championships to try and put up 300," Palumbo said. "Having the front 11 is pretty cool. My knees were shaking a little, and there were a few nerves. Just a pesky little 10 pin cost me."

Palumbo has bowled tournaments overseas and even has a 300 in Costa Rica. While achieving perfection in another country is a great feat, Palumbo's near-perfect effort at the Open Championships ranks very high on his list of accomplishments.

"That's what brings the nerves on," Palumbo said. "The history that is associated with this tournament is what does it. I know people do it each year, but it's pretty impressive to come here and shoot 299. Just knowing I will have my name announced each year works for me. I have definitely been in that situation before, but I'm not so sure any of them were as nerve-wracking as this one."

Not far from where Palumbo and his teammates were doing work at the Stadium, PBA national champion Brian Ziesig of Levittown, N.Y., was helping Ah Go On of Bellmore, N.Y., into seventh place in Regular Team with a 3,406 total.

Ziesig, who rolled the lone 300 game at the nearby Storm Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC this year, led the way for Ah Go On with a 739 series. He was joined by Chris Ziesig (716), Jeff Butler (713), Steve Pavlinko (645) and Brian Graham (593).

On Saturday afternoon, Farron Falls of La Mirada, Calif., also came within one shot of perfection, but his nerves got the best of him.

The 51-year-old right-hander started his final game of singles with 11 consecutive strikes, but a 5 pin on his final offering left him with the 24th 299 of the year. His run at 300 was preceded by games of 167 and 181 for a 647 series.

"I was extremely nervous and threw a bad show," said Falls, who added 626 in doubles and 588 in team for a 1,861 all-events total. "I pulled the ball inside of target and probably was lucky to just leave what I did."

Click here to watch video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.
Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.