RENO, Nev. - Edward Rede of El Paso, Texas, was hesitant about leaving his family to compete at the 2011 USBC Open Championships, but knowing they were home watching on the tournament's webcams made him much more comfortable on the lanes.

Rede's mother watched intently and relayed frame-by-frame updates to his wife, Solanja, and he definitely didn't disappoint his fans as he charged into the Regular Singles lead with games of 258, 299 and 257 for an 814 series at the National Bowling Stadium on Friday night. William Vincent Jr. of Louisville, Ky., previously held the lead with 792.

"I knew it would be hard for me to leave," said Rede, whose wife gave birth to their third son on Feb. 9. "Initially, I still wanted to make the trip, but I thought it was unfair to have her stay and take care of everything at home. I'm glad they were able to watch on the webcams, though. I received a congratulatory text from her as soon as I was done, and I thank her for all of the support she has given me."

Although his thoughts were on his wife, their newborn son, Mauricio, 2-year-old Xzavier and 12-year-old Rodrigo, he didn't lose focus as he flirted with perfection in his second game of singles. Only a solid 8 pin on his final offering kept him from the fifth perfect game of this year's event.

Overall, the experience was a humbling one for the 34-year-old right-hander.

"I am very proud, yet humbled," said Rede, an electronics engineer for a U.S. Army research lab in El Paso who made his 10th Open Championships appearance. "You come here and sometimes wonder if you're ever going to shoot something big to get your name on the leaderboard. Fortunately, I was able to accomplish that today."

Before bowling his team event Thursday, Rede was able to develop a game plan for the tournament by watching his brother, Edmund, who competed in the early team event. His knowledge not only helped him in team, but doubles and singles, too.

"I watched my brother bowl, and I thought I would be able to play the lanes within my comfort zone," said Rede, who bowls regularly at Desert Strike Lanes. "During doubles and singles, I was able to benefit from watching a teammate. He likes to play inside like me, so I made a ball change and decided to get inside of where he was playing, and it worked out."

Rede added 680 in team and 660 in doubles for a 2,154 all-events total, which left him 10 pins shy of the top spot in Regular All-Events. Joel Carlson of Omaha, Neb., leads with 2,164. Steve Sutphin of Howey in the Hills, Fla., rolled the only other 800 of the 2011 event (827) in doubles on March 6.

Just a few lanes away from Rede's singles success, Mike Kruse Sr. and Mike Kruse Jr. of Vermillion, S.D., were celebrating the Regular Doubles lead.

The elder Kruse rolled games of 225, 249 and 256 for a 730 series, while his son added 248, 246 and 214 for 708 and a 1,438 total. Chris Galovits of West Allis, Wis., and Ed Seliga of Kenosha, Wis., previously held the lead with 1,408.

The Kruse tandem started bowling doubles together at the Open Championships in 2002 and look forward to sharing the lanes together each year. Beyond the tournament lanes, the duo is one of 50 two-player teams in USBC history to record a perfect (600) doubles game, which they accomplished in a doubles league in 2003.

"Since Mike began bowling in adult leagues, my game has really improved," said Mike Sr., who made his 24th Open Championships appearance. "We work really well together on the lanes and are able to help each other out. There's nothing better than bowling with your son."

The younger Kruse, a 29-year-old right-hander, continues to have great success at the National Bowling Stadium and has averaged 217.5 in five visits to Reno. This year, he added 740 in singles and 611 in team for a 2,059 all-events total, which is 10th overall. Kruse Sr., a 50-year-old right-hander, had 694 in singles and 593 in team for 2,017.

"I love bowling here at the Stadium," said Mike Jr., who owns Kruse's Quality Pro Shop in Sioux Falls, S.D. "When I walk through the doors, I instantly feel confident. Plus, it really loosens up your swing when you know what your partner is going to do."

Click here to watch other video highlights from the 2011 Open Championships.
Presenting sponsors for the 2011 USBC Open Championships are Circus Circus, Eldorado Hotel Casino Reno and Silver Legacy Resort Casino Reno. Other sponsors include Sands Regency Casino Hotel, official brackets sponsor, Kegel, official lane maintenance provider, Humana, official registration sponsor, US Steltronic, official scoring system, and supporting sponsors Storm Bowling Products, UPS, Nationwide Insurance, Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa, Harrah's Reno Casino and Hotel and Peppermill Hotel Casino.