RENO, Nev. - William Larsen of Montpelier, Idaho, and his Shears Sports teammates have spent time bowling on challenging lane conditions, and that experience helped them into the Classified Team lead at the USBC Open Championships on Thursday.

Larsen helped the group to games of 927, 979 and 992 for a 2,898 total at the National Bowling Stadium, and the group moved past Bill Henry Construction of, Havre, Mont., which previously held the lead with 2,718.

"This is sweet," Larsen said. "We always knew that we could do this. We just needed to put it all together as a team, and we did. We had a game plan coming in to all try and play in the same area. Fortunately, the team we were crossing with was playing in the same place, and that really helped us."

The teammates bowl league at Jolara Lanes in Montpelier, and the proprietor there doesn't believe in easy lane conditions.

"He always tells us that his lanes are tough," said Larsen, who made his eighth Open Championships appearance. "You have to hit one or two boards there to score, and that really helped us here."

Larsen paced the team with a 642 series, including a 278 final game, and he was followed by Ron Singleton (641), Robert Cory (559), Daniel Dwinell (546) and Stacy Larsen (510).

Larsen started the third game with nine consecutive strikes before leaving the 6-10 on his next shot to end his bid for the sixth perfect game of this year's event.

"Bill had the first nine strikes," said Larsen's wife, Stacy. "I couldn't watch the 10th frame. I was so nervous."

Shears Sports has been together for several years, and the teammates enjoy competing together at the Open Championships. They don't always make the long distance trips, but they always attend the event when it's in Reno.

"We love to come to Reno," Cory added. "And leaving in first place is awesome."

Larsen and his teammates know that now that their score is posted, they have a long wait ahead of them to see if it holds up. The 2011 tournament, which kicked off March 4, will conclude on July 3.

"I'll be watching BOWL.com every day," William Larsen said. "We'll have a great Fourth of July party if we end up winning."

The Classified leaderboards changed again Friday morning as David Bore of Winnetka, Calif., and James D'Arcy of Lake Balboa, Calif., grabbed the Classified Doubles lead with a 1,207 total. Jeff Matesa of Graham, Wash., and Tony Renggli of University Place, Wash., previously held the lead with 1,202.

Bore and D'Arcy never imagined taking the lead at the Open Championships, and it was a pleasant surprise for them to see their names atop the leaderboard, especially with the challenge of the tournament lane conditions.

"This is a very good accomplishment," said D'Arcy, who bowls league at Matador Bowl and contributed a 528 series to the doubles effort. "Dave bowled really well today. This is a very tough shot, and it forces you to focus on every shot. We feel really good about it."

The duo knew their score would be good enough to cash, but had no idea it was good enough to take the lead.

"We knew we had a good chance at cashing this year," said Bore, who also bowls league at Matador Bowl and made his second Open Championships appearance. "We had no idea we were that close to the lead and eventually took the lead. We wanted to bowl well, and we were able to do that."

Bore, who led the way with a 679 series, came to this year's event with a different mindset which brought success.

"I knew coming in with the difficult pattern, I wouldn't be able to hook the ball as much," said Bore, who added 583 in singles and 548 in team for a 1,810 Regular All-Events total. "Today, I slowed my speed down and threw the ball straight, almost off the corner, and let it gently break into the pocket. I was able to find success."

Since the tournament doesn't conclude until July 3, D'Arcy will keep a watchful eye on the standings at BOWL.com.

"It will definitely give some extra interest in following the rest of the tournament," said D'Arcy, who added 444 in singles and 429 in team for a 1,401 Classified All-Events total. "We'll see how it goes. Our score is catchable, so it will be very interesting to see how things turn out. This was a very enjoyable experience, and a wonderful surprise to be in contention."

Scott Blaisdell of Malad, Idaho, rounded out the Classified changes at the Open Championships on Friday.

Blaisdell arrived at the National Bowling Stadium a day early so he could get a new ball drilled before he competed on the tournament lanes. His game plan immediately paid off as he cruised into the lead in two events.

The 54-year-old right-hander finished his trip with games of 204, 221 and 255 and claimed the Classified Singles lead with a 680 series. The effort also helped him into the Classified All-Events lead with a 1,830 total.

"The 680 is my highest series ever," said Blaisdell, who made his eighth Open Championships appearance and added 585 in doubles and 565 in team. "I was playing the outside line and started losing it. I moved in and started striking. I told myself to just stay there. Everything went right for me today."

Richard McGill of Chicago previously held the singles lead with 643, while Curt VanLaningham of Ogallala, Neb., led Classified All-Events with 1,764.

Blaisdell was happy to be surrounded by his friends and fellow league bowlers, who were there to support him during his run to the top of the leaderboard.

"Everyone was supportive, and that helped me a lot," said Blaisdell, who bowls league at Malad Bowl. "It's so exciting to be leaving town with my name on top."

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.