By Matt Cannizzaro and David Prange
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - David Werner of Rochester, N.Y., learned a lot in his USBC Open Championships debut last year, and the experience he gained helped make his return to the National Bowling Stadium a memorable one.

The 30-year-old right-hander started singles with 11 consecutive strikes and just missed the fifth perfect game of this year's tournament when the 10 pin refused to fall on his final shot Monday.

"All I kept telling myself was 'get it off your hand and do what you know how to do,'" said Werner, who added games of 213 and 258 and moved into fourth place in Regular Singles with a 770 series. "I learned a lot from my first Open Championships last year. I had the wrong equipment with me, but this year, I brought the right stuff.  I didn't make the move fast enough in the second game, but I got lined back up and finished strong." 

Werner made his first appearance at the Open Championships with a group from AMF Terrace Gardens Lanes, where he manages the pro shop. When he thinks back to his first walk down Center Aisle, Werner remembers thinking how big the National Bowling Stadium is and how it's unlike any other bowling center. 

"I really like coming to Reno and the Stadium," Werner said. "And I can't wait to go to Baton Rouge next year." 

Werner added 646 in team and 613 in doubles for a 2,029 all-events total. Joel Carlson of Omaha, Neb., leads Regular All-Events with 2,164. Werner's 299 was the third of this year's Open Championships.

Click here to watch 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.