RENO, Nev. - Chad Reiffer of Kentwood, Mich., and Brandon Tarabek of Grand Rapids, Mich., have worked hard to become top-caliber competitors at home and across Michigan, and now they've found their way into the national spotlight as the Regular Doubles leaders at the USBC Open Championships.

The two right-handers put years of bowling experience to the test as they calmly stepped up and struck under pressure for a 1,497 doubles total at the National Bowling Stadium on Thursday. George Rowan and Rod Singer of Columbus, Ohio, previously held the lead with 1,494.

Tarabek, 26, closed out his 745 set with three strikes and put their fate in Reiffer's hands. The 24-year-old coolly delivered three strikes of his own to cap off a string of seven consecutive strikes for a 752 series.

"I knew what we needed going into the last game, and I just tried to stay focused on getting the ball off my hand and throwing good shots," said Tarabek, who made his fifth Open Championships appearance. "Obviously, I was nervous, since I've never been in that position before, but I knew Chad was throwing the ball well, and I needed to give him a chance to get us there."

This year marked the first time the two have bowled doubles together at the Open Championships, and while Tarabek handled the math, Reiffer focused on knocking down as many pins as possible.

"I knew if we both threw good shots and got strikes, we'd have a shot, but whether we took the lead or just got close, it's still an honor to be up there," said Reiffer, who competed in his fourth Open Championships. "We've both been around a lot of great bowlers in our lives, and this means a lot to us. I tried not to add things up, but as the pins kept going down, I knew we had something special going."

Tarabek once promised his coach, the late Dan Ottman of Troy, Mich., a two-time titlist at the Open Championships, that some day they'd win a title together on the tournament lanes. Although Ottman was not present at the Stadium this week, Tarabek attributed much of his success to his roots with Ottman, as well as the Michigan Junior Masters Association.

"This is such a huge thing for me," said Tarabek, who has spent countless hours sharpening his skills at Northfield Lanes. "I know how much this event meant to Dan, and even though he's not here now, he was a huge influence in my bowling career. It is so special to have this opportunity and be in position to possibly win a title of my own here."

Reiffer and Tarabek said that teamwork and communication also helped them succeed at the Open Championships this year, and although it was their first time together on the biggest stage in bowling, they've bowled together before. The two shared the lanes when they attended Grand Valley State University, and they both are members of the Grand Rapids All-City Team.

Their relationship also extends beyond the lanes, as Reiffer will stand up in Tarabek's wedding in September, and the recently engaged Reiffer announced Thursday that Tarabek will be his best man.

Thursday's performance almost never happened, however.

After shooting 1,562 at the 2010 Open Championships, Tarabek questioned whether or not he even belonged on the tournament lanes. His goal coming in this year was to redeem himself and prove that he belonged, while Reiffer was just aiming for the first 1,800 all-events effort of his short tournament career.

Reiffer added 726 in team and 584 in singles for a 2,062 all-events total this year, and Tarabek had 654 in team and 625 in singles for 2,024.

"My realistic goal coming in was just to shoot 1,800," Reiffer said. "This is by far my best year locally, and at the state level, and I just wanted to keep it going. I would've been happy with 1,800 or 1,900, so this is a huge confidence booster. Even if it doesn't hold up, we'll know that our hard work paid off and we gave it our best, and we left with a chance to win.

Click here to watch video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.