By Matt Cannizzaro and David Prange
USBC Communications

RENO, Nev. - Trevor Yonan of Sheboygan, Wis., comes from an area that breeds talented bowlers who strive for success at the USBC Open Championships.

The 20-year-old right-hander stayed true to his upbringing and found instant success on the tournament lanes as he rolled a perfect game in his Open Championships debut. It was the third 300 of this year's event and second in two days. Kevin Walker of Havre De Grace, Md., tossed one at the National Bowling Stadium on Tuesday night.

Yonan shot his first-career 300 in January, but this one means a lot more to him.

"In the first one, I was only nervous on the last couple of shots, but this time, I started getting nervous around the seventh or eighth frame," said Yonan, whose 300 on Wednesday came between games of 225 and 185 for a 710 series in doubles. "This one also means a lot more. Now, I can always say I have a 300 at Nationals. Not a lot of people can say that, especially their first time."

Yonan added a 603 series and singles and 579 in team for a 1,892 all-events total. He and Greg Pizl of Antigo, Wis., also a first-time participant, teamed up for a 1,308 doubles total.

In order to prepare for this year's tournament, Yonan and his teammates practiced together at a local bowling center. The 10 of them concentrated on breaking the lanes down as a group, and Yonan personally focused on staying slow and making good shots.

"I was nervous to start team because I didn't want to let the rest of the guys down," said Yonan, who helped his team to a 3,064 total Tuesday. "I knew they all had high expectations for team this year, and I wanted to do my part. I tried to stay focused on each shot. I came out here hoping to consistently throw good shots, and I wasn't really worried about scores. I just wanted to leave knowing I threw the ball well."

Competing at the Open Championships is a stepping stone for Yonan, who is trying to gain the experience and knowledge it takes to make bowling into a career. Although he didn't reach his all-events goal of 1,900, the experience and memories from this year's event are priceless.

"This is the first step for me toward my future in bowling," said Yonan, who bowls regularly at Pla-Mor Lanes in La Crosse, Wis. "The whole experience was more than I expected, but it was a lot of fun. I didn't expect this to happen my first time out, and it will be nice to go home and tell everyone about it. I'm definitely proud of the way I bowled."

For Walker, it didn't take long to realize why a 300 on the championship lanes is a lot harder to come by. If a bowler starts a game with seven consecutive strikes, the score line changes color, and spectators immediately take note and begin to gather.

"I saw the scoreboard change colors, and I thought maybe I had done something wrong," said Walker, a 31-year-old right-hander who made his 16th Open Championships appearance. "I've had 300s before, but this one is really special."

Walker started his Open Championships career as a youngster at the 1996 event in Salt Lake City when he tagged along with pro shop operator Ed Davis and his group. This year's singles performance was a career-best and included games of 172, 300 and 278 for a 750 series and fifth place in Regular Singles. William Vincent Jr. of Louisville, Ky., leads with 792.

Walker added 633 in doubles and 515 in team for a 1,898 all-events total.

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.