RENO, Nev. - When Susan Combs of Howard, Ohio, left the USBC Women's Championships earlier this year, she and her partner sat atop the leaderboard in Ruby Doubles.

Although they now are sixth and won't be taking home a Women's Championships title, Combs gave herself a second chance at national recognition as she teamed with her husband, Dennis, to take the lead in Classified Doubles at the USBC Open Championships on Friday.

The Combs duo combined for a 1,213 total at the National Bowling Stadium and passed James Darcy of Van Nuys, Calif., and David Bore of Canoga Park, Calif., who held the lead since March with 1,207. Dennis Combs led the way with a 611 series, while his wife of one year contributed a 602 set.

"When I left the women's tournament in Tulsa in 2005, I was 10th and ended up 17th, and that's the best I've ever done," Susan Combs said. "I never dreamed of being in first place at the national tournament, let alone twice in one year."

Susan Combs, a 49-year-old right-hander, has been a competitive tournament bowler for more than a dozen years and is responsible for her husband's growing interest in tournament play. They met when Susan's Tuesday night league went to a mixed format, and Dennis, a 54-year-old right-hander, now shares her passion for the sport.

The two also spend some of their time offering advice to their fellow league bowlers and recruiting new competitors for the various tournaments they compete in.

"I struggled last year when I bowled in this event for the first time, but I took it in stride and didn't dwell on it much," said Dennis Combs, who still bowls league with his wife at Colonial City Lanes in Mount Vernon, Ohio. "Bowling plays a big role in our lives, and it's a lot of fun to watch other people progress and succeed. For us to come here and take lead with our friends by our sides make it all really special."

Dennis Combs rounded out his sophomore Open Championships campaign with 490 in team and 489 in singles for a 1,590 all-events total, but Susan earned family bragging rights for the next year with 542 in singles and 448 in team for 1,592.

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.