New leader in Classified Team at 2026 USBC Open Championships
April 25, 2026
Pictured above (from left): Jessie Pierson, Jerry Anderson, Jana Anderson, Rob Pierson, Joey Gunwall
RENO, Nev. – The members of League of Underperforming Bowlers 3 had a breakthrough performance Thursday night at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships to take the lead in Classified Team.
The team posted games of 824, 921 and 945 for a total of 2,690 at the National Bowling Stadium, placing them on top of the leaderboard. The lead previously was held by Idle Hour Lanes 2 with 2,652.
For a group that has built its identity around falling just short of expectations, the result was both surprising and rewarding.
“We come to the tournament every year with great expectations, and we always seem to fall short,” Jerry Anderson said. “So, we kind of call ourselves the underperformers. That’s where the name comes from.”
This year, however, the team flipped that narrative.
The lineup of Jessie Pierson (447 series), Anderson (592), Jana Anderson (500), Rob Pierson (569) and Joey Gunwall (582) found their rhythm early with multiple players contributing above their averages to keep the momentum building.
“In the first couple of games, Jana, Rob and Joey were all bowling really well above their averages,” Jerry Anderson said. “I was about average, and Jessie was a little below. Then in the last game, Jessie and I both jumped way over our averages. It all just kind of came together.”
That collective effort proved to be the difference as the team surged the last two games of their set.
As the set progressed, the possibility of a top finish began to take shape, at least for part of the team.
“The guys knew after the first couple games that if we kept bowling well, we had a shot at the top 10,” Jerry Anderson said. “By the seventh frame of the last game, it started to feel real.”
But, not everyone was aware of what was unfolding.
“The ladies didn’t know until the 10th frame that we even had a chance,” Jerry Anderson said. “We kind of kept it quiet. The guys knew, but we didn’t say anything. That made it kind of fun.”
The team, made up of bowlers from multiple states, comes together each year for the tournament despite being spread across the country.
“We all live in different states now,” Jerry Anderson said. “It started with a group of us in Miles City, Montana. Then some moved to North Dakota, some to Arizona, and we just kept it going from there.”
Even with the distance the group has maintained its connection and continues to return to the tournament each year.
“We put the team together not really expecting to do anything great,” Jerry Anderson said. “But, we knew if we bowled within ourselves, we could put up a decent score. We just didn’t expect something like this.”
The team also added a personal touch to the event with custom shirts created by Jerry’s wife, Jana, featuring their team captain.
“We didn’t have team jerseys this year, so my wife made shirts with our captain’s face on them,” Jerry Anderson said. “We kept our jackets on until we got inside, then surprised him. He said he wanted to hate it, but he couldn’t, it was too good.”
Now sitting atop the leaderboard, the team understands there is still a long way to go before the tournament concludes, but they’re allowing themselves to enjoy the moment.
“If this holds and we win, it’s going to be off the charts,” Jerry Anderson said. “I think we’d all be in disbelief, honestly. Just wondering how we pulled it together, but we’d be thrilled. We’re just excited, and we can’t wait to come back next year and do it again.”
Classified Team features five-player groups with combined entering averages of 800 and below.
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. – The members of League of Underperforming Bowlers 3 had a breakthrough performance Thursday night at the 2026 United States Bowling Congress Open Championships to take the lead in Classified Team.
The team posted games of 824, 921 and 945 for a total of 2,690 at the National Bowling Stadium, placing them on top of the leaderboard. The lead previously was held by Idle Hour Lanes 2 with 2,652.
For a group that has built its identity around falling just short of expectations, the result was both surprising and rewarding.
“We come to the tournament every year with great expectations, and we always seem to fall short,” Jerry Anderson said. “So, we kind of call ourselves the underperformers. That’s where the name comes from.”
This year, however, the team flipped that narrative.
The lineup of Jessie Pierson (447 series), Anderson (592), Jana Anderson (500), Rob Pierson (569) and Joey Gunwall (582) found their rhythm early with multiple players contributing above their averages to keep the momentum building.
“In the first couple of games, Jana, Rob and Joey were all bowling really well above their averages,” Jerry Anderson said. “I was about average, and Jessie was a little below. Then in the last game, Jessie and I both jumped way over our averages. It all just kind of came together.”
That collective effort proved to be the difference as the team surged the last two games of their set.
As the set progressed, the possibility of a top finish began to take shape, at least for part of the team.
“The guys knew after the first couple games that if we kept bowling well, we had a shot at the top 10,” Jerry Anderson said. “By the seventh frame of the last game, it started to feel real.”
But, not everyone was aware of what was unfolding.
“The ladies didn’t know until the 10th frame that we even had a chance,” Jerry Anderson said. “We kind of kept it quiet. The guys knew, but we didn’t say anything. That made it kind of fun.”
The team, made up of bowlers from multiple states, comes together each year for the tournament despite being spread across the country.
“We all live in different states now,” Jerry Anderson said. “It started with a group of us in Miles City, Montana. Then some moved to North Dakota, some to Arizona, and we just kept it going from there.”
Even with the distance the group has maintained its connection and continues to return to the tournament each year.
“We put the team together not really expecting to do anything great,” Jerry Anderson said. “But, we knew if we bowled within ourselves, we could put up a decent score. We just didn’t expect something like this.”
The team also added a personal touch to the event with custom shirts created by Jerry’s wife, Jana, featuring their team captain.
“We didn’t have team jerseys this year, so my wife made shirts with our captain’s face on them,” Jerry Anderson said. “We kept our jackets on until we got inside, then surprised him. He said he wanted to hate it, but he couldn’t, it was too good.”
Now sitting atop the leaderboard, the team understands there is still a long way to go before the tournament concludes, but they’re allowing themselves to enjoy the moment.
“If this holds and we win, it’s going to be off the charts,” Jerry Anderson said. “I think we’d all be in disbelief, honestly. Just wondering how we pulled it together, but we’d be thrilled. We’re just excited, and we can’t wait to come back next year and do it again.”
Classified Team features five-player groups with combined entering averages of 800 and below.
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.