RENO, Nev. - Nearly two centuries ago, British writer William Edward Hickson coined the inspirational phrase "if at first you don't succeed, try, try again."

Bill Kaelin of Virginia Beach, Va., took that to heart when he rolled the 48th perfect game of the 2011 USBC Open Championships on Friday.

After shooting 299 in his second game of singles, Kaelin got a rare second chance at perfection on the tournament lanes and confidently etched his name into the tournament record books.

"I didn't really miss the pocket the first game, but I decided to move a little left and tried to get a little bit softer, and once I moved in, the shot was right there for me," said Kaelin, who started singles with a 202 game. "At the end of the second game, I wanted to make a good shot, but I pulled it. I had some adrenaline and was a little jittery. The 299 would've been a career highlight in itself, and I never thought about doing anything more. I try not to think about too much when I'm out there."

After posting the 22nd 299 of this year's event, the 52-year-old right-hander was able to clear his mind and continue throwing good shots, and the pins at the National Bowling Stadium continued to cooperate. He finished with an 801 series and moved into seventh place in Regular Singles. Matt Weggen of Muscatine, Iowa, leads with 826.

Only Ron Bahr of Topeka, Kan., the 2003 Regular Singles champion (837) has rolled back-to-back 300s at the Open Championships.

"When the third game started, I just tried to get comfortable again," said Kaelin, who made his 24th consecutive tournament appearance. "The shot was still out there, and I was able to throw some really good shots. I've had a long bowling career, and I was a member of the PBA (Professional Bowlers Association) for many years as a weekend player and did fairly well, but this is definitely a highlight. This tournament is something I've done and enjoyed for a long time and will continue to do."

Kaelin added 605 in team and 592 in doubles for a 1,998 all-events total. His 800 series was the 16th of the 2011 tournament and second in as many days.

Marc Heninger of Kansas City, Mo., added his name to the list when he posted games of 278, 245 and 280 for an 803 series during doubles Thursday. He teamed with Eric VanHoozier of Leavenworth, Kan., for a 1,412 total. Brandon Tarabek and Chad Reiffer of Grand Rapids, Mich., lead Regular Doubles with 1,497.

"It feels great," said Heninger, who made his sixth Open Championships appearance. "In my wildest dreams, I never would have imagined this would happen to me. I was just telling my wife last night that the highest game I've ever shot here at the tournament was 279, and my highest series was 726. I finished with 278 last night in team, and then I come out the gate with 278 again today. I couldn't have imagined anything better."

Until his senior year of high school, Heninger didn't have anything on his mind except baseball. When an unfortunate incident ended what looked to be a promising baseball future, he turned to bowling.

When Heninger was young, he used to watch his grandparents and parents compete, but baseball was his focus. The 25-year-old right-hander quickly progressed on the lanes through the same hard work and dedication he employed on the baseball field.

"I went straight to the adult leagues," said Heninger, who bowls league at Aaron's Family Fun Center. "My parents bowled, so I wasn't completely fresh, but I never took it seriously until right after high school. Before that, I used to play around with a house ball, but that was it. I've come a long way. Eric coached me, and he has been a family friend for years. All of my friends and family really helped refine my game, and there is a long list of people who have helped in my development as a bowler and as a man."

Following Heninger's final strike, he pointed to the sky in homage of his grandfather, Rich Black, who passed away when Heninger was just 7 years old. Black is one person Heninger still wishes was in his life because they were very close. Heninger wears Black's wedding band in remembrance.

"He was an avid bowler," said Heninger, who manages In the Zone Pro Shop. "He was well-known around the Kansas City area. I wear his wedding band around my neck at all times. A lot of people say they see a lot of him in me as a bowler. I really miss him and wish he would have been here to see it. I am glad my wife, Raven, was here, though. That really meant a lot."

Heninger added 670 in team and 565 in doubles for a career-best 2,038 all-events total.

Across town at the Storm Bowlers Journal Championships presented by USBC, PBA champion Brian Ziesig of Levittown, N.Y., rolled the first perfect game of the 2011 event Friday morning.

The 36-year-old right-hander posted games of 201, 300, 182 and186 on the way to an 869 set. Former Team USA member Andrew Cain of Scottsdale, Ariz., previously owned the year's highest game with 299.

The Bowlers Journal Championships is being held alongside the Open Championships for the 65th year. It is being contested at the Grand Sierra Resort and Casino, and competition runs daily from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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.