Montana team secures top spot in Standard at 2026 Open Championships
April 03, 2026
Pictured above (from left): Grady Stinchfield, Tom Plovanich, Eric Groth, Sean Hill, Ryan Funk
RENO, Nev. – Two teams raced to the top of the standings in the Standard Division on Thursday at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, with the members of Prairie Wolf Construction claiming the lead at the end of the squad.
The group – based out of Helena, Montana – rolled games of 1,033, 990 and 920 for a 2,943 total at the National Bowling Stadium to surpass the 2,895 posted by Cinderella Shoes of Bradley, Illinois, on March 28.
Cinderella Shoes would drop another spot just minutes after Prairie Wolf Construction wrapped up its team event. The members of Wayne Moore Team 9 made a late push for the top spot but ultimately moved into second place, putting together games of 934, 882 and 1,104 for a 2,920 score.
Thursday’s performance by Prairie Wolf Construction was led by Sean Hill’s 681 series. He was joined at the NBS by Eric Groth (652), Ryan Funk (570), Grady Stinchfield (550) and Tom Plovanich (490).
The team’s strong start – aided by 246 from Groth and 232 from Funk – helped set the pace for the exciting finish.
“It was just about having a ball with surface and keeping our angles in front of us,” Hill said. “We inadvertently burned a track up that created a bunch of hold, and we were able to get the ball to hook the same way every time. We also stayed out of trouble and made our spares.”
Hill added 268 for the team in Game 2, and as they made their way toward the leading number in the finale, a couple of his teammates already knew the number they were chasing.
“Two of the guys knew for sure, but I was not one of them,” Hill said. “I figured it out in the 10th frame when there was a lot of clapping for us. I don’t pay attention because I feel I would do worse if I knew, but Eric and Grady were watching. It came down to the wire.
“For us, it’s a big deal. I’ve had little success at nationals. We come down and bowl but having success like this is a big milestone for us. Walking away in first is pretty cool.”
In 2023, Hill joined Stinchfield, Groth and Funk at the Open Championships for the first time. Plovanich filled out the team at the 2024 event, and the 2026 edition marks their third year together as a five-player group.
The crew formed from crossing paths across several leagues at Helena’s Sleeping Giant Lanes, and the camaraderie they’ve built over time was on display Thursday at the NBS.
“We all bowl league together on different nights,” Hill said. “I was one of the last ones added four years ago now. They needed a guy, and I had been wanting to bowl the Open Championships. So, I got added, and then Tom got added, and we’ve all stuck together.”
They’ll be sticking together as they keep an eye on the tournament’s leaderboard, too.
“We’ll probably pay more attention than we ever have before,” Hill said. “Usually we bowl and leave and don’t pay attention, but we’ll probably be scoring watching now – we’ve got a good reason.”
Standard Team includes five-player groups with combined entering averages of 801-905.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
RENO, Nev. – Two teams raced to the top of the standings in the Standard Division on Thursday at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships, with the members of Prairie Wolf Construction claiming the lead at the end of the squad.
The group – based out of Helena, Montana – rolled games of 1,033, 990 and 920 for a 2,943 total at the National Bowling Stadium to surpass the 2,895 posted by Cinderella Shoes of Bradley, Illinois, on March 28.
Cinderella Shoes would drop another spot just minutes after Prairie Wolf Construction wrapped up its team event. The members of Wayne Moore Team 9 made a late push for the top spot but ultimately moved into second place, putting together games of 934, 882 and 1,104 for a 2,920 score.
Thursday’s performance by Prairie Wolf Construction was led by Sean Hill’s 681 series. He was joined at the NBS by Eric Groth (652), Ryan Funk (570), Grady Stinchfield (550) and Tom Plovanich (490).
The team’s strong start – aided by 246 from Groth and 232 from Funk – helped set the pace for the exciting finish.
“It was just about having a ball with surface and keeping our angles in front of us,” Hill said. “We inadvertently burned a track up that created a bunch of hold, and we were able to get the ball to hook the same way every time. We also stayed out of trouble and made our spares.”
Hill added 268 for the team in Game 2, and as they made their way toward the leading number in the finale, a couple of his teammates already knew the number they were chasing.
“Two of the guys knew for sure, but I was not one of them,” Hill said. “I figured it out in the 10th frame when there was a lot of clapping for us. I don’t pay attention because I feel I would do worse if I knew, but Eric and Grady were watching. It came down to the wire.
“For us, it’s a big deal. I’ve had little success at nationals. We come down and bowl but having success like this is a big milestone for us. Walking away in first is pretty cool.”
In 2023, Hill joined Stinchfield, Groth and Funk at the Open Championships for the first time. Plovanich filled out the team at the 2024 event, and the 2026 edition marks their third year together as a five-player group.
The crew formed from crossing paths across several leagues at Helena’s Sleeping Giant Lanes, and the camaraderie they’ve built over time was on display Thursday at the NBS.
“We all bowl league together on different nights,” Hill said. “I was one of the last ones added four years ago now. They needed a guy, and I had been wanting to bowl the Open Championships. So, I got added, and then Tom got added, and we’ve all stuck together.”
They’ll be sticking together as they keep an eye on the tournament’s leaderboard, too.
“We’ll probably pay more attention than we ever have before,” Hill said. “Usually we bowl and leave and don’t pay attention, but we’ll probably be scoring watching now – we’ve got a good reason.”
Standard Team includes five-player groups with combined entering averages of 801-905.
The Open Championships is celebrating its 122nd edition in 2026 and making its 15th trip to Reno, Nevada. The 2026 event is scheduled to feature more than 55,000 bowlers and 11,000 five-player teams competing across 128 consecutive days at the National Bowling Stadium.
Follow the action from the tournament’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts.