Lead changes in Standard Division at 2024 USBC Open Championships
May 08, 2024
LAS VEGAS – The top of the standings in the Standard Division saw new leaders emerge within the doubles and all-events category Sunday at the 2024 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships.
Courtney Hayes of Thornton, Colorado, and Matthew Johnson of Brighton, Colorado, were the first to claim their spot on the leaderboard, shooting a combined score of 1,244 to take over the lead in Standard Doubles at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
About an hour later, Curtis Schneider of Arvada, Colorado, rolled his way to the lead in Standard All-Events with a nine-game score of 1,866 to take the lead by four pins.
Schneider, a 51-year-old right-hander, picked the best time to have his top performance at the USBC Open Championships, posting sets of 672 in singles, 621 in doubles and 573 in team to go around the 1,862 posted March 23 by James DeBoer of Sparta, Michigan.
“I had no idea I even had a chance at the lead, and I’m kind of glad it happened that way,” said Schneider, who previously posted his high all-events score at the Open Championships in 2010 with 1,804. “If I knew I had a chance at all, I might have gotten nervous and wouldn’t have thrown the shots as well.”
Making his 14th tournament appearance, Schneider attributes his performance over the weekend to some good advice and fitting from his pro shop operator at home, Rick Schafer.
“Rick has drilled the last two balls for me and has gotten the fit just right to go with great ball reaction,” Schneider said. “I finally have felt comfortable bowling out here since he has been helping me.”
With a few months left to go in the 2024 tournament, Schneider is remaining optimistic about his lead.
“I would be surprised if I got a call to tell me I won – shocked, really,” Schneider said. “But, winning is something that would be really cool and a moment I would really be proud of.”
In doubles, Hayes and Johnson also were surprised to hear that they took over the lead with their 1,244 effort. They edged their way to the top spot by three pins over Todd Hawkinson of Sioux City, Iowa, and Jeffrey Hawkinson of Hinton, Iowa (1,241).
“I had no clue at all,” said Hayes, who participated for the first time at the Open Championships this weekend. “I was really just excited to come out and try bowling at nationals, since my mom bowls as well. I didn’t think this would end up happening.”
Johnson led the way for the pair with games of 223, 187 and 257 for a 667 series. Hayes added 241, 167 and 169 for 577.
The duo also happened to meet for the first time in Las Vegas, after being paired up as doubles partners.
“We had never met before today, but it would be pretty cool and make for a good story if we win,” said Johnson, who made his second tournament appearance.
Hayes delivered three strikes in the final frame of Game 3 to help the team capture the lead, while Johnson stayed clean in 10th frame.
“I had a really good game during Game 1 with eight strikes to get to 241, so I was a little loose and relaxed for sure,” Hayes said. “If I would have known it was for the lead, I’m not sure if I would have been able to throw all three strikes like that.”
Now, both Hayes and Johnson are excited to see if their score can hang on until the end, giving them something they can potentially share together in the tournament’s record book.
Standard Doubles includes bowlers with combined entering averages of 311-350. Standard All-Events features bowlers with averages of 156-175.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.
Courtney Hayes of Thornton, Colorado, and Matthew Johnson of Brighton, Colorado, were the first to claim their spot on the leaderboard, shooting a combined score of 1,244 to take over the lead in Standard Doubles at the South Point Bowling Plaza.
About an hour later, Curtis Schneider of Arvada, Colorado, rolled his way to the lead in Standard All-Events with a nine-game score of 1,866 to take the lead by four pins.
Schneider, a 51-year-old right-hander, picked the best time to have his top performance at the USBC Open Championships, posting sets of 672 in singles, 621 in doubles and 573 in team to go around the 1,862 posted March 23 by James DeBoer of Sparta, Michigan.
“I had no idea I even had a chance at the lead, and I’m kind of glad it happened that way,” said Schneider, who previously posted his high all-events score at the Open Championships in 2010 with 1,804. “If I knew I had a chance at all, I might have gotten nervous and wouldn’t have thrown the shots as well.”
Making his 14th tournament appearance, Schneider attributes his performance over the weekend to some good advice and fitting from his pro shop operator at home, Rick Schafer.
“Rick has drilled the last two balls for me and has gotten the fit just right to go with great ball reaction,” Schneider said. “I finally have felt comfortable bowling out here since he has been helping me.”
With a few months left to go in the 2024 tournament, Schneider is remaining optimistic about his lead.
“I would be surprised if I got a call to tell me I won – shocked, really,” Schneider said. “But, winning is something that would be really cool and a moment I would really be proud of.”
In doubles, Hayes and Johnson also were surprised to hear that they took over the lead with their 1,244 effort. They edged their way to the top spot by three pins over Todd Hawkinson of Sioux City, Iowa, and Jeffrey Hawkinson of Hinton, Iowa (1,241).
“I had no clue at all,” said Hayes, who participated for the first time at the Open Championships this weekend. “I was really just excited to come out and try bowling at nationals, since my mom bowls as well. I didn’t think this would end up happening.”
Johnson led the way for the pair with games of 223, 187 and 257 for a 667 series. Hayes added 241, 167 and 169 for 577.
The duo also happened to meet for the first time in Las Vegas, after being paired up as doubles partners.
“We had never met before today, but it would be pretty cool and make for a good story if we win,” said Johnson, who made his second tournament appearance.
Hayes delivered three strikes in the final frame of Game 3 to help the team capture the lead, while Johnson stayed clean in 10th frame.
“I had a really good game during Game 1 with eight strikes to get to 241, so I was a little loose and relaxed for sure,” Hayes said. “If I would have known it was for the lead, I’m not sure if I would have been able to throw all three strikes like that.”
Now, both Hayes and Johnson are excited to see if their score can hang on until the end, giving them something they can potentially share together in the tournament’s record book.
Standard Doubles includes bowlers with combined entering averages of 311-350. Standard All-Events features bowlers with averages of 156-175.
The 2024 Open Championships got underway Feb. 23 and will run through July 29 at the South Point Bowling Plaza. The tournament is scheduled to feature more than 11,000 teams and 55,000 bowlers making their way to compete in Las Vegas.
Visit us on Facebook at the official USBC Open Championships page.