Minnesota group leads Classified Team at OC

Scottys1LARGE2013RENO, Nev. - Scotty's 1 of Alexandria, Minn., filled its frames and put together a consistent performance on its way to the Classified Team lead at the 2013 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships on Monday.

The group fired games of 918, 923 and 879 at the National Bowling Stadium for a 2,720 series. The Inexplicables of Conetoe, N.C., previously held the top spot with 2,662.

Scotty's 1 was paced by Jon Lee's 607 series, and he was joined by Dave Fremling (562), Tom Lee (534), John Fremling (532) and Dan Fremling (485).

The Fremlings and Lees have become so close over the years that they consider each other family. Tom Lee and Dave Fremling's sons shared in many experiences growing up, and for the first time, they all hit the lanes at the USBC Open Championships.

"We grew up together, hunting, fishing and going on vacations," said Jon Lee, who made fifth Open Championships appearance. "We've gone our own ways, but getting back together makes it so much fun."

Before taking the lanes at the NBS this week, the teammates knew if it bowled near their averages, they would have a good shot at making a run at the top of the leaderboard. They loosened up Sunday by bowling the Who's Got The Look Baker Bonanza presented by 900 Global, which is being held at the 900 Global Showcase Lanes on the ground floor of the NBS.

"We started off thinking that if we bowled our averages, we knew we were going to lead," said Jon Lee, who bowls regularly at Benson Bowler in Benson, Minn., and Garden Center Lanes in Alexandria. "Each of us ended up about 30 pins over our averages. None of us struck a lot, but we made our spares. Making spares gives you a chance, and it kept us in it."

Although their trip was more about camaraderie and the chance to share another memory together, the members of Scotty's 1 noticed the banner above the lanes recognizing the 2012 Classified Team champions. They knew they made their mark when their score surpassed the winning score from last year, 2,707.

"If it holds on, it would be great, especially since we consider ourselves like family," Jon Lee said. "Our score beat last year's, so that's kind of cool."

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